Top legal team consult alleged rhino poachers before court appearance

The high-powered legal team for three men arrested for alleged rhino poaching have arrived at the Grahamstown Magistrate's Court.

Port Elizabeth attorney Sizwe Maci and advocate Terry Price went straight to the holding cells to consult with George-based game reserve field ranger Forget Ndlovu, Jabulani Ndlovu and Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu both from Port Elizabeth. The arrested men, which include two Zimbabweans, are not related.

The men were arrested in Grahamstown with a "fresh" 72cm rhino horn hours after an animal was poached at Bucklands Private Game Reserve outside Grahamstown on Friday night. A darting rifle, saws, knives, tranquillisers, darts, camping gear, food rations, cellphones and two rental cars were seized by police during the arrest.

The men are expected to appear in court this morning for a formal bail application after consulting their legal team. The men allegedly killed white rhino, Campbell, on the reserve during the full moon.

Rhino poaching has increased in recent years in the Eastern Cape and 18 animals have had their horns hacked off since January by sophisticated poaching syndicates who have increasingly targeted the province.

Three animals survived. Advocate Buks Coetsee,  from the Grahamstown Director of Public Prosecutions, is expected to appear for the State.