Police have arrested three people for the violation of the National Environment Management – Biodiversity Act and the illegal possession of firearms.
On Tuesday, the police seized one hundred rhino horns and four tiger carcasses in the Klerksdorp area.
The Hawks and other police, units arrested three suspects during the operations. The suspects are aged 23, 35 and 43.
According to TimesLive, Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso, the Hawks spokesperson said the first suspect that was arrested was found in possessions of a hunting rifle, a shotgun, a revolver, a pistol and a big number of empty cartridges, as well as live ammunition. The first suspect was arrested at a farm near Klerksdorp.
“Further probing into the discovered firearms led the investigative team to another farm in Hartbeesfontein, where two additional suspects were arrested after an assortment of firearms and ammunition were found, which included a rifle, a hunting rifle, a pistol, and a revolver.
“Additionally, 100 rhino horns were found, four tiger carcasses and $1,000,” said Rikhotso.
As stated by TimesLive, Rikhotso said on Thursday, the suspects will appear in the Jouberton Magistrate’s Court and Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court. “They will face charges of illegal possession of firearms and contravention of the National Environment Management Biodiversity Act”.
