Members of SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit together with private security companies nabbed a 26-year-old male suspect for possession of unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition and possession of a silencer, on Sunday, 14 April 2024.
His arrest follows a positive tip-off about suspects planning to poach rhinos at one of the game reserves in the area. Leads were operationalised and the suspects were spotted driving in white VW TSI. Upon noticing the Police, the suspects drove off at a high-speed. The driver lost control of the vehicle and ended up in the bushes. The suspects fled on foot into different directions.
Police managed to arrest one suspect, aged 26, and confiscated a rifle, four rounds of ammunition, two knives, a silencer and a vehicle.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo SAPS, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the arrest and applauded the Police for recovering the dangerous equipment from the hands of criminals which included the firearm.
He will appear before Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court facing charges of possession of unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition and possession of silencer, on Tuesday, 16 April 2024.
The Police investigations are ongoing.
