Four alleged Rhino poachers arrested at Hluhluwe

On Tuesday, 3 June 2014 officers from the HAWKS, Stock Theft Unit, Special Task Force and Air Wing together with the Nyathi Anti-Poaching Unit conducted an operation following intelligence received of suspected poachers at a game reserve in northern KZN. According to the intelligence, these poachers were intending to poach rhinos for their horns.

Whilst the operation was in progress police observed two cars arriving at the game reserve. It is alleged that the occupants of the vehicles cut the fence and entered the game reserve. Police then pounced on them and seized three axes and a hunting rifle with a silencer that was found in their possession. The two vehicles that were used by the suspects were also seized for further investigation. All four suspects were arrested and charged for illegal poaching and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The four suspects between 18 and 40 years are due to appear in the Hluhluwe Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 5 June 2014.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni congratulated the team of the successes achieved. “It is very important that we deal with these crimes by conducting such multidisciplinary operations as police alone cannot win this battle. Whilst we are convinced that we are turning the tide in our fight against poachers, we continue to hold such operations in future to dismantle syndicates that trade in our endangered species,” she said.

Since the beginning of this year, we have arrested 36 suspects for rhino poaching incidents in KwaZulu-Natal. 23 firearms were recovered during our rhino poaching operations. During the last financial 18 rhino poachers were convicted in KwaZulu-Natal.