Police nab suspected poachers

Members of the police’s Crime Intelligence, Organised Crime and Tactical Response Units arrested four suspected rhino poachers in the Soutpansberg over the weekend.

The arrests, which formed part of a joint operation, took place on Sunday on a farm in the Waterpoort area. According to the police’s provincial spokesperson, Lt Col Ronel Otto, the members were acting on a tip-off that they had received. All the suspects are between the ages of 29 and 41.

The first suspect was arrested while he was retrieving more ammunition from his parked vehicle on the farm. Upon questioning him, the police realised that there were more suspects on the farm.

With the assistance of local farmers, police were able to track the remaining suspects with a helicopter. Two fleeing suspects were arrested soon afterwards and a fourth during the evening. The last suspect was found hiding in his room on the farm.

Police confiscated the suspects’ vehicle, a hunting rifle and an axe.

The suspects, respectively hailing from Madombidzha, Makhado (Louis Trichardt), Kromhoek and Maleboho, briefly appeared in the Waterpoort Periodical Court on Tuesday. Their case was transferred to the Louis Trichardt Magistrate’s Court and all four were due to appear in court on Thursday, 17 January.

News - Date: 21 January 2013

Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

Email: [email protected]