Poachers on the prowl at local lodge

AN otherwise peaceful Saturday afternoon at Mpofini Lodge just outside of Vryheid was interrupted when poachers struck shortly after lunchtime.
The restaurant at Mpofini Lodge offers a majestic view of the lodge’s idyllic landscape and it was precisely this view that gave the presence of the poachers away. Patrons of the restaurant noticed four poachers accompanied by hunting dogs and immediately reported their presence to the restaurant owner, who alerted the owners of the lodge.
Vryheid SAPS and Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch were called out to assist and managed to apprehend two of the poachers who were allegedly under the age of 12, as well as one of their hunting dogs.
The two minors were taken into custody, but due to their age, it is unlikely that they will face any legal consequences for their unlawful actions.
According to owners of the lodge, this is not the first time poaching activity has taken place at Mpofini. On Christmas day last year, the fences were cut following an attack on a neighbouring farm.
While anti-poaching units are active on the premises, it seems that this does little to deter the criminals who are clearly intent on helping themselves to the roaming wildlife and the poaching problem has become a daily struggle at the lodge.
“A big thank you to Michael and members of the SAPS,” said Chantel Barnard, whose father-in-law, Ben Barnard owns the lodge, “as well as the guys from Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch. We are really grateful that they came out to assist.”