SANParks ranger and vet arrested by SAPS rhino team
Police officers deployed by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to assist SANParks as part of Operation Rhino have arrested five suspects for possession of unlicensed firearms in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga during last week.
In Mpumalanga, 35 year-old Rodney Landela (a SANParks regional ranger) and 44 year-old Kenneth Muchacho (a veterinarian deployed at SANPark by the Department of Agriculture) were arrested for possession of two rhino horns and possession of a firearm and ammunition.
"The two men were arrested on 27 July 2016 in the Satara section of the Kruger National Park. They have already appeared in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate's Court and their case has been postponed to next week Thursday for a bail application," SAPS said in a statement.
Apart from the rifle, 17 rounds of ammunition and two rhino horns were found in the men's possession.
Police also confiscated four cellular phones, an axe and three Garmin Navigators.
In KwaZulu-Natal, three suspects were arrested for the possession of an unlicensed firearm in the Dukuduku area of the province.
"The three, whose vehicle, seven cellular phones, axe and silencer were taken, are due to appear in the Mtubatuba Magistrate's Court on Monday.