Police officers who are members of Operation Vala Umgodi have arrested three suspected rhino poachers during an intelligence-driven operation in Pongola, just after midnight on Wednesday, 20 November 2024.
Police collected intelligence about the three suspects who were travelling from Hluhluwe to a game farm in Magudu area where they were reportedly going to poach rhinos. An operation was swiftly put in motion and the suspects’ vehicle was intercepted on the R66 Road in the Pongola policing precinct.
During the search, police found a disassembled hunting rifle with a silencer and seven rounds of ammunition. A licenced pistol was also found in the possession of the suspects.
The suspects, aged between 33 and 40 years old, were due to appear in the Pongola Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 21 November 2024 on charges of possession a prohibited firearm, and the possibility of more charges being added on cannot be ruled out.
Three suspected rhino poachers arrested with a hunting rifle https://t.co/DwmQnfFWZk#ArriveAlive #RhinoPoachers #Enforcement @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/jII15jofHE
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) November 21, 2024
