WITBANK – Two suspected rhino poachers – both South Africans are expected to appear before the Witbank Magistrates Court on Friday, following their arrest with incriminating evidence.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said vigilant members of the Middelburg Flying Squad made a significant arrest involving illicit rhino horns during a routine patrol on the N12 at night. She said the suspects, aged 45 and 49, face charges of possession of rhino horns and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
Ndubane said members made the arrest on Wednesday after they spotted the suspects travelling in a Toyota Etios during the night.

“Members were on patrol on the N12 between Ogies and Kendal when they spotted a suspicious silver Toyota Etios with Mpumalanga registration numbers. They stopped the vehicle with two occupants and upon searching the occupants and the vehicle they found a black jacket covering two rhino horns and two hunting rifles. The officers also discovered rounds of ammunition inside the car, leading to the arrest and confiscation of rifles and rhino horns,” said Ndubane. She said the investigation continues into the rhino case, including the suspects’ involvement in illicit rhino poaching. The value of the rhino horns is yet to be determined.