LIMPOPO – In a concerted effort to deal with illegal poaching throughout the province, police spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe says various police units are hard at work, around the clock, conducting joint operations which continue to produce good results.
This follows the arrest of two suspects believed to be members of a poaching syndicate in the Hoedspruit policing area, outside Phalaborwa. They were arrested in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
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“The arrest was made during a sting operation, composing of the Police Tactical Response Team(TRT) Unit and the Rhino Task Team following a tip off by the community of suspicious people hiding at a farm in the Hoedspruit area,” he explained.
The swift reaction by the teams led to the recovery of a Polo Vivo with four occupants.
“During confrontation by the police, two suspects from the Polo ran towards another car, a Toyota hilux, believed to be the suspects’ second car and they sped off, leaving the Vivo with their two accomplices behind. A vehicle chase ensued and the Toyota hilux was found abandoned along the R 537 road, overturned, with damage but there was no one inside,” he said.
During the operation, a VW Polo and a Toyota Hilux were recovered as well as a rifle, one silencer, binoculars, nine rounds of live ammunition, three knives, bags, worksuits and a knife filer.
“The origin of the two recovered motor vehicles and firearm will be determined by ongoing police investigations. The two arrested suspects will appear before the Hoedspruit Magistrates Court, soon.”
