Madadeni police arrested two men in Madadeni, Section 7, on Tuesday, May 3, for the possession of rhino horns.
Under the command of Warrant Officer Ramuthar, police student constables were conducting a routine stop-and-search, when they noticed two men carrying a bag.
When the suspects noticed the police, they allegedly turned around, trying to avoid the police officers.
“The police followed them and stopped the men. After searching through the bag, officials were shocked to find two rhino horns inside,” said Major Thulani Zwane from the KwaZulu-Natal SAPS Media Centre.
The two suspects, aged between 24 and 33, were arrested. They were also linked to stock theft in the Ladysmith area.
Both men appeared in the Madadeni Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, May 5.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, commended the newly appointed student constables, and said they made a good arrest on their first day.
“Our detectives will investigate and see if the arrested suspects are not linked to other rhino poaching cases in the province,” she said.
