Rhino poachers arrested in Hluhluwe
Suspected poacher wounded in police shoot-out.
THREE suspected rhino poachers were nabbed yesterday at about 4.30pm at Phinda Game Reserve, Hluhluw.
During an operation by Durban Organised Crime Unit, Nyathi Anti-Poaching and Special Task Force, members received information about a group of people who were suspected to be poaching at the reserve.
‘The members started to intensify their patrols and they spotted three suspects entering the game reserve,’ said police spokesman, Major Thulani Zwane.
However, when the officers approached the suspicious trio, they opened fire on the police. The officers retaliated and one suspect was wounded and subsequently arrested.
He was found in possession of a 308 hunting rifle with five live rounds.
The other men were also arrested and found in possession of an axe.
All three suspects were aged between 31 and 55 years.
The men will appear in the Hluhluwe Magistrate’s Court today, facing charges of illegal hunting of rhinos and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
