The arrest of 24 suspected poachers over the past two weeks bring to 191 the number of suspects arrested across the country for this crime, since January 1.
The law enforcement agencies, and rangers in the Kruger National Park, are commended for their actions and commitment to the fight against rhino poaching.
The arrests happened amidst the increasing number of poaching incidents reported in South Africa.
The total number of rhino poached since the beginning of the year has increased to 618.
The Kruger National Park continues to bear the brunt of rhino poaching, with 381 rhino having been killed for their horns since January.
Among the total number of rhino poached, 64 have been killed in Limpopo, 62 in KwaZulu-Natal, 62 in North West and 42 in Mpumalanga.
South Africans are encouraged to continue supporting the work of the security forces, rangers and conservationists. The commitment to conservation requires the support of everyone in order to stem the tide of rhino poaching.
South Africans are urged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.
SA 2010 2011 2012 2013
KNP (SANParks) 146 252 425 381
MNP (SANParks) 0 6 3 2
GP 15 9 1 3
LIM 52 74 59 64
MP 17 31 28 42
NW 57 21 77 62
EC 4 11 7 2
FS 3 4 0 0
KZN 38 34 66 62
WC 0 6 2 0
NC 1 0 0 0
333 448 668 618