Nine people arrested for rhino poaching

Nine people were arrested in Limpopo and North West at the weekend for suspected rhino poaching, police said on Monday.

Ntiyiso Ngobeni, 26, Edwards Shai, 40, and Lawrence Malatji, 42, were arrested on the Klaserie game reserve in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, Colonel Ronel Otto said.

They were found in possession of a high calibre hunting rifle, a silencer, a 9mm pistol, live ammunition, an axe and four cellphones.

They appeared in the Hoedspruit Magistrate's Court on Monday on charges of trespassing, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The matter was postponed to Thursday, Otto said.

In a separate incident, three people were arrested on a farm near Vaalwater.

Police had noticed a suspicious-looking vehicle dropping them off on the road near the farm, Otto said.

They were found in possession of a .458 hunting rifle, live ammunition and an axe.

They would appear in the Modimolle Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

"The search for two more suspects who managed to escape, is still on," Otto said.

In North West, three Mozambican nationals were arrested at the Madikwe game reserve on Sunday for illegal game hunting.

The trio, aged 32, 42 and 47, were found in possession of an axe, hunting rifle and ammunition, Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

They would appear in the Lehurutshe Magistrate's Court soon on charges of illegal game hunting, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and trespassing.