Two men are set to face charges in the Vryheid magistrate’s court after being apprehended with two rhino horns and a stolen rifle concealed in the engine compartment of their vehicle.
The KwaZulu-Natal police took action based on information received about the suspects and spotted their car on the R34 road heading towards Vryheid, prompting a high-speed chase.
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According to Lt-Col Nqobile Gwala, a spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal police, the vehicle was eventually intercepted near Klipfontein Dam.
Upon searching the car, officers discovered a rifle hidden in the engine compartment, along with two rhino horns wrapped in black plastic. Additionally, the carcass of a rhino was found at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.
Further investigation revealed that the firearm had been reported stolen in Kabega Park, Gqeberha, located in the Eastern Cape.
Lt-Col Gwala also disclosed that the 51-year-old suspect was on parole for previous charges of attempted murder and robbery in Camperdown. The other suspect is wanted for criminal activities committed in different provinces.
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The two suspects were scheduled to appear in court on Friday to face charges related to the possession of illegal rhino horns, the theft of a firearm, and potentially other crimes.
The arrest and subsequent court proceedings highlight the ongoing efforts to combat rhino poaching and illegal wildlife trade in South Africa.
