Cop among two held for rhino poaching

AN anti-poaching operation saw the arrest of two suspects, including a police constable, who were allegedly on their way to a national park.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said early yesterday two suspects, one a 22-year-old police constable, were arrested on suspicion of being involved in rhino poaching.

“A team comprising members of the SAPS’s Rhino Poaching Project Team, the Kruger National Park authorities and Ezemvelo Wildlife responded to intelligence of possible rhino poachers heading toward one of the national parks.

“The team stopped a car on the N2 in the Pongola area and found two men in possession of an R-1 rifle, a silencer, several rounds of ammunition, axes and knives,” Naidoo said.

According to Naidoo, the R-1 rifle was reported stolen in Pretoria West in November 1996.

Both suspects are expected to appear in the Pongola Magistrate’s Court today. – ANA