POLOKWANE - The Police in Tinmyne near Mokopane in the Waterberg District on Friday 09 December 2022 arrested five suspects in possession of Rhino horns and unlicensed firearms with live ammunition in Leyden village outside Mokopane.

On Friday 09 December 2022, the Police in Dorset received a complaint of Rhino poaching in one of the local game farms in their Policing precinct. Further information was that two female Rhinos were discovered in the Game farm having been shot dead and their horns removed.

Two unknown male suspects were apparently observed by Security Guards walking around on the Game farm and the Search team comprising the members of the SAPS, the Private Security Companies, Welgevonden Security and STES as well as other individuals collected information. They then started tracing the suspects and this resulted in the apprehension of the five suspects.

The suspects, aged between 25 and 40, were arrested in Leyden village under Tinmyne policing area while driving in a red Volkswagen Polo with Gauteng registration numbers.

It is believed that the Rhino horns that were recovered were those of the two carcasses that were found on the Game Farm. The Police also found the hunting rifle with a silencer, five live rounds of ammunition and two butcher knives.

The suspects are expected to appear before Mokopane Magistrate's Court on Monday 12 December 2022 facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunitions as well as illegal hunting, (poaching).

Police investigations are continuing.

Source: South African Police Service