National task team nabs suspects in possession of Rhino Horns

A South African Police Service (SAPS) special task team, under the leadership of Lieutenant General Vinesh Moonoo, set up to investigate rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park (KNP), yesterday arrested two suspects.

The SAPS team, together with Tracker and KNP Rangers, arrested two South Africans, aged 55 and 40 years, after being found in possession of two rhino horns with a total weight of approximately 4kgs. These horns were removed from an adult rhino with a possible age of 5 years.

The SAPS team was busy conducting crime-scene investigations in the park when they were alerted that employees of a private company in the park were involved in illicit dealing in rhino horns.

Our investigators followed up on the information which led to the initial arrest of the 40 year old suspect and then the subsequent arrest of the 55 year old suspect. The rhino horns were found hidden in nearby bushes and confiscated.

Both suspects were allegedly in negotiations to sell the horns to a Mozambican national. The Mozambican could not be traced but the detectives were able to confiscate his Ford Ranger as well as a Toyota Corolla belonging to the 40 year old suspect. Detectives are working closely with their counterparts from neighbouring Mozambique to trace the third suspect.

The two South African suspects are expected to appear in the White River Magistrates court on Friday, 5 September 2014 on charges of unlawful possession of rhino horns and restricted activities (poaching) in the park. This team of detectives is also busy with another incident in which a man and his wife were attacked by intruders at their residence in Sabi Sands on Monday at approximately 2am. Both victims survived the terrible ordeal despite sustaining multiple stab wounds. The motive at this stage is possibly robbery.

No arrests have as yet been made but detectives are following up on strong leads.