KNP access points under scrutiny after arrests of poachers
Entry points to the Kruger National Park (KNP) have come under scrutiny after several alleged poachers gained access to the park to kill animals.
Eight suspected rhino poachers have been arrested in the Kruger National Park.
Questions are now being raised over how the group gained access to the park undetected.
Three heavy caliber hunting rifles, ammunition as well as various other poaching related equipment were confiscated.
"We have a 2 million hector property, that's the size of the Kruger National Park and it's impossible to monitor the boundary effectively," says SANPark's spokesperson, Isaac Phaahla.
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The suspects were in three different groups, spread out across the Park with the intention to poach.
The alleged poachers were all arrested on Monday.
"Difficult to say but it can't be ruled out because we can't say that we are working with angels," was Phaahla's response to reports that law enforcement authorities are working with criminals.
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He says the group could have gained access through the road the park shares with neighbouring country, Mozambique.
"We share 300 kilometers of road with Mozambique and that is the competence of SANDF to monitor that."