Pastor, two others in dock for conspiracy to poach, attempted murder

A well-known Pretoria pastor and two accomplices were expected to appear in the Hoedspruit Magistrate’s Court earlier this week facing charges of conspiracy to commit poaching and attempted murder after they were arrested on Monday night.
Provincial Police Spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe indicated that Police received information about an alleged poaching syndicate consisting of three suspects travelling in a Toyota Land Cruiser along the R40 outside Hoedspruit.

Police joined by members of the local farm watch swiftly conducted an operation in search of the vehicle. When spotted by Police the driver of the suspected vehicle was instructed to stop but he failed and decided to speed up instead, according to Ngoepe.
A high-speed chase ensued until the point where the suspects reportedly opened fire on the Police who retaliated, resulting in one of the suspects being wounded. The driver stopped and the three suspects were subsequently arrested. Ngoepe said that during the arrest Police confiscated a hunting rifle with silencer, four rounds of live ammunition, a knife, an axe as well as the vehicle.

Story: RC Myburgh
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