Manhunt for rhino poachers

Polokwane – Police investigators from the endangered species unit are looking for two suspects who have been linked to the killing of two rhinos at a game reserve located outside Lephalale. 

The carcasses of the two animals were found by game rangers patrolling the game reserve on Saturday 18 January.

According to police spokesperson brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo the carcasses were already in a stage of decomposition when they were discovered.
“One of the rhinos was dehorned,” he added.

According to statistics compiled by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, rhino poaching in Limpopo and other parts of the country declined in 2019 when compared to the previous years. 

Figures show that from January to June 2019, a total of 17 rhinos were killed by poachers. This represented a decline of two when compared to the 2018 figures of the same period. 

It is against such a background of progress in the fight against rhino poaching that law enforcement agents are eager to bring to book those responsible for the incident in Lephalale.

The suspects are yet to be identified and police are carrying out further investigations to establish leads and obtain more details about the incident.    

Anyone with information about the suspects is requested to contact detective warrant officer Van Heerden on 082 4142337 or their nearest police station. Alternatively, you can call the crime stop number, 08600 10111.