LIMPOPO – FIVE suspected rhino poachers arrested last weekend in two separate incidents in the Gravelotte area bringing the total of suspected poachers arrested in Limpopo since March to 21.
The first arrest over the weekend was made on Saturday evening when members of a special rhino poaching investigating task team followed up information on poachers who where planning to shoot a rhino in the Harmony area of Gravelotte. The vehicle was circulated, observed and stopped on a gravel road, three suspects were arrested after members searched the vehicle and found a 303 rifle and silencer, 12 rounds, two axes and knives.
While busy on the scene, members received information about another group of suspected poachers travelling in a vehicle in the same area.
The information was followed up and members arrested two suspects after searching their vehicle and confiscating a 375 hunting rifle, two silencers, live ammunition, an axe, panga and a knife.
In both cases the serial numbers of the rifles were filed off and the origin of the weapons is being investigated, reported Col Ronel Otto, spokesperson for the police in a media statement.
Lt Gen Fannie Masemola, the provincial commissioner of the police service in Limpopo, congratulated the team which consists of members of crime intelligence, stock theft and crime prevention on their latest success and applauded them for their unwavering hard work and dedication in bringing the suspects to book.
The team arrested 21 suspected poachers all over the province since the beginning of March, with the exception of only one incident in the Bela Bela region member arrested the suspects before they were able to shoot the animal.
According to the statement three poachers received hefty sentences during March for an incident in the Cumberland area during February. The suspects pleaded guilty during their last court appearance in the Thabazimbi magistrate’s court on the charges of illegal possession of a fire-arm and the conspiracy to commit rhino poaching.
Mishack Chauke was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment, Tsakane Shihlanhu received six years’ imprisonment and Thomas Moholole was sentenced to four years imprisonment.
Otto said the five suspects who were arrested over the weekend appeared in the Phalaborwa magistrate’s court on Monday and the cases were postponed to April 20 for further investigation, They men remain in custody.
