Alleged poaching kingpin caught
A 59-year-old man who is believed to be the kingpin of a rhino poaching syndicate in Mpumalanga and Limpopo was arrested during a joint intelligence operation by the provincial stock theft unit, Hoedspruit police, Hoedspruit Farm Watch, and the policing forum on Saturday, May 27.
Police received information on two suspects driving a grey Toyota bakkie suspected to have been involved in rhino poaching in the Lydenburg area. The car was spotted along the R531 road at the Klaserie 1 Stop petrol station in Kampersrus. Police set up a stop-and-search operation in the vicinity in an attempt to stop the suspect’s motor vehicle. While approaching the roadblock, the suspects unexpectedly made a U-turn.
A car chase ensued for about six kilometers until the suspect’s car stopped in the middle of the road and one suspect jumped from the car and fled into the bushes. He dropped a black bag on the road. The car drove off again and came to a standstill in Kampersrus after it collided with another motor vehicle. The car was searched, and police discovered cash concealed in the backseat. The driver of the car was immediately arrested.
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A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is linked to a series of cases that include murder, racketeering, and rhino poaching that were committed earlier this year in Mpumalanga. In addition, the black bag recovered from the road contained six 375 live rounds of ammunition, one silencer, and three knives believed to have been used during crimes. The provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, applauded the teams involved in apprehending the suspect.
“Collaborative efforts between our members and other security structures are paying off,” she said. A manhunt for the unknown suspect is underway and anyone with information that can assist with his apprehension can contact the investigating officer, Capt Pieter Meyer on 066 016 4156 or the crime stop number 08600 10111 or visit MySAPSApp. The suspect appeared before the Hoedspruit Periodical Court on Monday, May 29. The outcome of the court case was unknown at the time of going to print on Monday.
