12 suspects nabbed for poaching
They faced charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence, trespassing, as well as possession of dangerous weapons.
In less than two weeks, members of the South African Police Service and SANParks Rangers, as well as the Protection Services at Skukuza managed to arrest 12 suspects in the Kruger National Park for poaching related activities, in separate incidents.
On February 25, three Mozambican men aged between 33 and 36 were arrested at Stoltznek. They were found in possession of a .458 rifle and ammunition without a licence, as well as a silencer. The trio appeared at the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court, today.
Also read: SANParks employee and three others arrested for rhino poaching
On February 21 another three Mozambican nationals who were also found in possession of a hunting rifle and ammunition, a knife, a silencer and an axe, were arrested. They appeared at the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on February 22. They faced charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence, trespassing, as well as possession of dangerous weapons.
On the same week, two other men Phillip Mzimba ( 33) and Difference Mahlaule (34) appeared at the Skukuza Periodical Court on February 19 for possession of a firearm without a licence and trespassing charges.
Also read:Rhino poaching syndicate’s bail application delayed
The pair were remanded in custody and will appear at the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on February 28 for a formal bail application.
Two weeks ago, a 48-year-old Sanpark employee, Phillip Gumede with other three men, Mr Solly Silaule(35), Oddis Maluleke (43) and Sam Khoza ( 26) were nabbed at the Kruger National Park before they could exit, with a freshly cut set of rhino horns, a hunting rifle and ammunition. They made their second court appearance at the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on February 25.
They were remanded in custody, with the case postponed to today for a formal bail application.
