Tip-off leads to arrest of six poaching suspects

SIX suspected rhino poachers, who were recently arrested at a Pongola guest house in northern KwaZulu-Natal, were nabbed after authorities were tipped off by the community.

The Department of Environmental Affairs said yesterday the arrest of the suspected poachers was an excellent example of how information from the community can result in positive action and thus spare more rhinos from being poached.

The suspects – Vincent Mathothe, 42, Hloniphani Khumalo, 34, Mhlekiswa Dlamini, 47, Florence Lubisi, 39, Mogala Ragolane, 53, and Frans Tshabangu, 48 – are in custody and their matter is pending before court.

The department said the accused were found with a rifle, live ammunition, hunting knives and an axe.

According to the department’s statistics, by the end of August, 83 rhinos had been poached in KZN, which was a marked decrease compared to the same period last year, when 183 rhinos had been poached.

“Communities remain an important part of the long-term sustainability interventions outlined in the Integrated Strategic Management Approach as they are the first line of defence for animals and plants in the country’s protected areas,” the department said.

Co-ordinated efforts of its Environmental Management inspectors and SANParks inspectors, working with the Hawks and Sars customs officials, had resulted in the dismantling of 35 rhino horn trafficking networks linking the transit countries of Swaziland, Mozambique, Namibia and Kenya to China, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

● People can report suspicious activity related to wildlife to the department’s environmental crime hotline: 0800205005 or SAPS 10111.