‘Most wanted’ caught again
One of the most wanted suspects in rhino poaching-related cases, Odis Maluleke (47), a Mozambican national, was rearrested at Kabokweni on Saturday, May 6 after police received information of his whereabouts.
Maluleke failed to appear in court after he was granted bail twice since his initial arrest in 2015. “Thanks to the informants as well as members of the police from the Skukuza Stock Theft Unit which were assisted by members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT), the suspected poacher was apprehended,” said Brig Selvy Mohlala, the provincial spokesperson in Mpumalanga. According to police, Maluleke was initially apprehended with three men in July 2015.
The ages of the other three South African male suspects were 30, 35, and 49 at the time. It is said that when they were first arrested, the four were trying to enter the park through the Skukuza Kruger Gate. “Their car was searched and security guards discovered a hunting rifle, 12 rounds of live ammunition as well as an axe inside their vehicle,” said Mohlala. Maluleke got bail of R20 000 but failed to return to court. A warrant for his arrest was issued. His co-accused continued to appear in court.
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In February 2019, police and SANParks followed up on information about alleged poaching activities, and four suspects were arrested, including Maluleke. The ages of the other three South African males arrested with Maluleke were 31, 39, and 50. “During the arrest, the suspects were found in possession of two rhino horns, a hunting rifle, five rounds of live ammunition, as well as a knife. All four suspects were charged accordingly. During the last of their court appearances, the other three South African suspects were granted R3000 bail each.
“Initially, Maluleke was not granted bail but eventually, an amount of R30 000 was set for his bail. The suspect absconded again and another warrant for his arrest was issued, and police were in pursuit of him when he was recaptured on May 6,” Mohlala said. Maluleke appeared in Mhala Regional Court on Monday, May 8. The case was postponed to May 18 for further investigation and a court appearance in the Skukuza Regional Court. The cases against the other suspects that were arrested with Maluleke are ongoing, except for the 50-year-old male suspect who has since passed away in January 2021. The provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Lt Gen Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has welcomed the arrest of the suspect.
