Policeman & Accomplice Arrested For Alleged Rhino Poaching In South Africa

Times LIVE

Another day, another sad reminder of the how rampant and pervasive rhino poaching has become in South Africa.

On Tuesday, two suspected rhino poachers were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) near Pongola; one of them 22-year-old police constable, noted in a News24 report yesterday.

According to Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo, a team comprised of officials from the South African Police Service’s Rhino Poaching Project Team, Kruger National Park, and Ezemvelo Wildlife responded to intelligence of suspected rhino poachers heading towards one of the area’s national parks.

Naidoo further explained that the group had stopped a car belonging to the police man in which they found two men in possession of an R1 rifle, a silencer, several rounds of ammunition, axes, and knives.

The alleged perpetrators were expected to appear in the Pongola Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday to face charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The weapons and the sedan were confiscated and examined. Naidoo has since confirmed that the R1 rifle turned out to have been reported stolen in Pretoria West in November of 1996.

KwaZulu-Natal Community Safety and Liaison MEC, Mxolisi Kaunda, praised the police for their work in apprehending the suspects that were clearly in possession of dehorning equipment.

News 24

“Rhino poaching is one of our main focuses in dealing with cross-border crime in the province. We are pleased with this latest arrest by the police, as it demonstrates that government has declared zero tolerance on rhino poaching,” said Kaunda.

“It is encouraging that even members of the SAPS (South African police service) who are colluding with criminals in the area are not spared,” concluded Kaunda who also recognized the members of the community contribution by sharing information with the police, which subsequently led to the arrest.

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