The fight to save Eastern Cape rhino from ruthless poachers was given a boost at the weekend when three men were arrested with a horn near Grahamstown shortly after an animal was butchered.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci said yesterday that the highly professional gang had been linked to the killing of a white rhino at Bucklands hours earlier.
A statement said the arrests were a major breakthrough and the men could be linked to 10 incidents in three provinces.
A 72cm horn, worth about R1.2-million, a darting rifle, darts and sedatives for animals, saws, knives, camping gear and rations, along with several cellphones and two rental vehicles, had been seized by police.
She said investigations had linked the men to the poaching incident at Bucklands.
The men, Zimbabweans Forget Ndlovu, 40, from George, Jabulani Ndlovu, 38, from Port Elizabeth and South African Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu from Motherwell – not related – appeared briefly in court yesterday and would stay in custody until tomorrow’s bail application.
The arrests form part of an ongoing province-wide anti-poaching initiative called Operation Full Moon.
Acting provincial police commissioner Major-General Zamuthango Mki said the initiative was aimed at curbing poaching activities in “a structured and coordinated manner”.
“This is a major breakthrough.
“The arrests must send a message that SAPS members in the rural areas are vigilant.”
Devastated Bucklands Private Game Reserve co-owner Iain Stewart said yesterday the 72cm white rhino horn police found on the men on Friday night appeared to be the same one hacked off their rhino, Campbell, hours earlier.
Stewart said although they were on high alert in the reserve because the full moon created perfect conditions for poaching, they did not know any of their animals had been killed until they got a call that the three men had been arrested.
He said the poachers were highly professional and knew what they were doing.
Although the Eastern Cape has experienced a surge of rhino poaching over the past year, there have been few arrests.
Wildlife expert Dr Will Fowlds yesterday told the Daily Dispatch he was “elated” by the arrests. He praised police and provincial environment officials for working together.
“It is tragic that another rhino had to succumb but this time we have something to celebrate.”
But he warned the threat was “still very real”. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Rhino brigade hails arrest of three men
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci said yesterday that the highly professional gang had been linked to the killing of a white rhino at Bucklands hours earlier.
A statement said the arrests were a major breakthrough and the men could be linked to 10 incidents in three provinces.
A 72cm horn, worth about R1.2-million, a darting rifle, darts and sedatives for animals, saws, knives, camping gear and rations, along with several cellphones and two rental vehicles, had been seized by police.
She said investigations had linked the men to the poaching incident at Bucklands.
The men, Zimbabweans Forget Ndlovu, 40, from George, Jabulani Ndlovu, 38, from Port Elizabeth and South African Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu from Motherwell – not related – appeared briefly in court yesterday and would stay in custody until tomorrow’s bail application.
The arrests form part of an ongoing province-wide anti-poaching initiative called Operation Full Moon.
Acting provincial police commissioner Major-General Zamuthango Mki said the initiative was aimed at curbing poaching activities in “a structured and coordinated manner”.
“This is a major breakthrough.
“The arrests must send a message that SAPS members in the rural areas are vigilant.”
Devastated Bucklands Private Game Reserve co-owner Iain Stewart said yesterday the 72cm white rhino horn police found on the men on Friday night appeared to be the same one hacked off their rhino, Campbell, hours earlier.
Stewart said although they were on high alert in the reserve because the full moon created perfect conditions for poaching, they did not know any of their animals had been killed until they got a call that the three men had been arrested.
He said the poachers were highly professional and knew what they were doing.
Although the Eastern Cape has experienced a surge of rhino poaching over the past year, there have been few arrests.
Wildlife expert Dr Will Fowlds yesterday told the Daily Dispatch he was “elated” by the arrests. He praised police and provincial environment officials for working together.
“It is tragic that another rhino had to succumb but this time we have something to celebrate.”
But he warned the threat was “still very real”. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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