How the poachers operate

A description of poachers’ modus operandi, based on the evidence of Captain Morne Viljoen, the SAPS head of rhino investigations in the Eastern Cape, revealed eye-opening details of the criminal network.

Viljoen had visited every rhino poaching scene since April 2015, the judge noted.

Viljoen had interviewed suspects throughout SA, collaborated with other investigating and anti-poaching stakeholders, and had a wide informant network.

Had been able to share with the court that poachers transported rhino horns harvested in the Eastern Cape to Gauteng by road or air. They are paid in cash and the horns are distributed beyond the borders.

Rhino poaching in SA was committed by two well organised syndicates with ties in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, the judgment noted. The syndicate bosses determined where the rhinos should be poached, and how many.

“Poachers have access to large game hunting rifles like .458 and .375 calibre rifles. The serial numbers of those rifles are in most cases erased.”

Poachers are generally in the country illegally as they simply walk across the Zimbabwe and Mozambique borders and the stamps on the passports don’t correspond with home affairs’ computerised register.

“Poachers obtain their information about the location of rhinos from private persons who reside on or near the property where the rhinos are.

“They also obtain their information from contractors working on the property.”