36 nabbed for rhino poaching

The Rhino 8 Task Team in a joint operation with SAPS and SANParks have arrested 36 suspects for crimes relating to rhino poaching.

National police spokesperson, Vishnu Naidoo says the suspects are between the ages of 22 and 40 years old and from all over South Africa.

"Since the beginning of October to date, members of the task team were able to arrest the 36 suspects the areas of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal."

Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa reported in June this year that nearly 529 rhinos have been killed by poachers nationwide since January. 

Naidoo says during the arrests motor vehicles, unlicensed firearms and rhino horns were confiscated.

"During these arrests the team also confiscated four motor vehicles including a VW Golf, a Ford Ranger Wildtrack, a Nissan Navara; 12 unlicensed firearms including rifles; a variety of ammunition, silencers,  a hacksaw,  axes, knives, 27 cellphones and three rhino horns as well an elephant tusk," says Naidoo.