Horrific scene of six rhino horns poached, accused to appear in court

South African Police Service

Horrific scene of six rhino horns poached, accused to appear in court
Horrific scene of six rhino horns poached, accused to appear in court. Photo: SAPS

On 12 July 2018, rhino poaching accused, Arnelo Mhlanga, 39, will appear in the Mogwase Magistrates’ Court facing charges of possession of rhino horns and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

He has already made his first appearance in the Madikwe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 4 July 2018.

The accused’s court appearance emanates from his arrest on Monday, 2 July 2018 between Sun City and Madikwe. That was after Nature Conservation game rangers spotted the accused and two other suspects exiting the Pilanesberg Game Reserve in a Mazda bakkie.

A car chase allegedly ensued after the rangers followed the suspects’ vehicle.

During the chase, the suspects’ vehicle collided with a tree trunk at Silverkraal. The police who responded quickly after being informed about the incident, arrested the accused while two other suspects managed to flee and evaded the arrest.

Upon further investigation, six rhino horns, an illegal firearm as well as an axe were found inside the vehicle.

Further probe linked the suspect with rhino poaching incident that occurred between 30 June and 1 July 2018 at Pilanesberg Game Reserve.

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCESouth African Police Service