Wildlife poster boy bust in rhino sting

Lawrence Baloyi became a face in the fight against rhino poaching - now he is accused of joining up with the criminals.

The Kruger National Park section ranger told international journalists on-camera of the dangers of fighting poachers who lured young men with the promise of unheard of amounts of money.

But today, Baloyi, Andrea Mabunda and Shakes Baloyi are to appear in the White River Magistrate's Court for a bail hearing.

The three are charged with rhino poaching and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

As a section ranger in the Lower Sabie area Baloyi had on occasion dealt with the press.

In an interview with Voice of America, he said that to fight rhino poaching you needed to have your heart in it.

He said he knew how easy it was for young men to be pulled into poaching.

"They are clever ... if someone got a rhino, it's like a big-boss mega-big party - all the ladies, they rise to him. So, he is sending information that: guys, [while] you [are] busy sitting here, we are making money there. Follow me next. That's why those groups escalate every day," Baloyi told Voice of America.

In another interview, while standing next to a slaughtered rhino, he spoke of the hazards of not only having to deal with poachers but also dangerous animals.

Park spokesman William Mabasa said it was the first time he had heard of a section ranger being arrested for poaching.

Section rangers are often referred to as the backbone of the park, and are responsible for a portion of the area.

There are 23 section rangers in total.

"This came as a shock," said Mabasa. "These guys are at the forefront of the fight against rhino poaching."

Baloyi was arrested on September 22 when four SAPS detectives heard gunshots while conducting a crime scene investigation of an old rhino carcass.

They took to the air and from a helicopter spotted a dead rhino.

A dog unit was called to the scene and the two alleged poachers, Mabunda and Shakes Baloyi, were spotted nearby.

Mabunda is a field guide and Shakes a general worker.

Police also allegedly found seven rounds of ammunition, and a rifle that belongs to the park.

The two men allegedly told police that they had been dropped off by Baloyi, who they claimed they worked for.