Two suspects, a 40-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man, were nabbed on December 14, 2016 at approximately 08:30, after being found in possession of a hunting rifle.
The suspects were nabbed after police acted on information regarding people who were in possession of a firearm driving in a bakkie heading towards Nelspruit. Police spotted the vehicle fitting the description, with two occupants a few kilometres before the city where it was pulled over for a search. Underneath the vehicle, police found a 303 rifle stashed in a false compartment next to the petrol tank. They further seized ammunition, a military jacket and knives and as a result the duo were apprehended. A short probe by police revealed that the suspects were on their way to poach endangered species.
The suspects are facing charges of conspiracy to hunt endangered species as well as illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.
A profiling of the suspects is underway to establish their possible involvement in other crimes. The suspects are expected to appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on 15 December 2016.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
