PRETORIA, Feb 21 – Police in Phalaborwa in South Africa’s Limpopo Province have arrested five suspected rhinoceros poachers who are believed to have been on their way to hunt rhinos in the Kruger National Park.
“Police received information about suspected poachers who would enter the Kruger National Park through the Phalaborwa Gate, with the aim to shoot and dehorn the animals in the park,” said Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi on Wednesday.
“Police were on alert and at approximately 19:00 last night, the suspected vehicle with five occupants was spotted in the parking area of a shopping centre in town.”
Police closed in and arrested the five suspects after confiscating a hunting rifle and silencer, eight pieces of live ammunition, a butcher’s knife and an axe. Their vehicle was also confiscated. Three of the suspects are from the Giyani area and two are from Mozambique. They are expected to appear in the Phalaborwa Magistrates’ court on Thursday.
Provincial Commissioner of South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant-General Simon Mpembe, said an award of up to 500,000 Rand (US$56,105) will be given to members of the public who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects involved in rhino poaching or dealing in rhino horns.
BERNAMA
