Cops snare one of SA’s most wanted rhino poaching suspects

One of the most wanted suspects in Mpumalanga rhino poaching cases, Odis Maluleke, is back behind bars after his was rearrested in a KaBokweni tavern near the Kruger National Park (KNP) on Saturday 6 May.  

The 47-year-old Mozambican has been evading the long arm of the law since 2019.

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Whistle-blower tip-off leads to rhino poaching suspect’s arrest

According to a  Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the arrest was a coordinated effort by the Skukuza Stock Theft Unit and members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT).

Mpumalanga’s stock theft unit head Col Phindile Nkambule said police acted on information received on the rhino poaching suspect’s whereabouts from a several whistle-blowers.

“Information available so far is that Maluleke was planning to get into the Kruger National Park. Records show there were three outstanding warrants of arrest for the suspect after he absconded from separate court trials,” she said.  

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Rhino poaching suspect’s timeline of crime

• In July 2015, Maluleke was arrested near the Kruger National Park gate and charged for trespassing in a protected area, possession of an unlicensed firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and possession of a dangerous weapon. He was released on R20 000 bail.

• In May 2017, he was arrested at a private rhino reserve in the Kalahari, North West, after shooting at police who tracked him and an accomplice down after they allegedly killed and dehorned a rhino.

Police returned fire, wounding Maluleke, while his accomplice managed to escape. Two rhino horns and a prohibited firearm with its serial number filed off were recovered.  

After recovering in hospital, Maluleke remained in custody for a few months until he was granted bail by the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court.   

• In February 2019, while facing trial for the North West rhino poaching incident, Maluleke was caught red-handed with three other people attempting to flee the KNP with freshly poached rhino horns, a heavy calibre hunting rifle and ammunition.

Despite strong opposition to bail from the investigating officer, the Bushbruckridge Magistrate’s Court granted R30 000 bail to Maluleke, who absconded again.   

The cases against the other suspects are still proceeding in court. The fourth suspect — a 50-year-old male — has however passed away on 25 January 2021.

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Maluleke to appear in court with co-accused on 18 May

He appeared in the Mhala Regional Court on Monday 8 May where his case was postponed to 18 May 2023 for further investigation meanwhile the suspect remains in custody.

Maluleke will remain in custody and join his two co-accused — Solly Silaule and Sam Khoza — in the dock at the Skukuza Regional Court.