Archive photo (Photo: Pixabay)
A suspect was shot dead on a farm in the Pienaars River area in Limpopo, after the police’s anti-poaching unit responded to shots and later came across the carcasses of three white rhinos.
The incident took place on Friday evening at 23:00 in the Waterberg district.
According to the police, members of the anti-robbery unit were engaged in routine patrols when they heard three gunshots. Officers responded immediately and drones were deployed to track down the suspects and determine if any rhinos were poached.
The suspected poachers were tracked down and fled into the bushes when the officers approached them. One of the men was spotted with a firearm and the other with a rucksack.
While the police were chasing one of the suspects, he opened fire on the officers and the drone. The police returned fire in self-defense and fatally wounded the suspect.
Soon after, the drones located the three fresh white rhino carcasses on the farm. Two of the rhinos’ horns had already been removed, while the third animal had not yet been dehorned.
(Photo: Line Knipst/Pexels)
The deceased has not yet been identified. A firearm was found next to his body.
The police are investigating cases of rhino poaching, attempted murder and murder.
Lt. Gen. Thembi Hadebe, provincial police commissioner, says rhino poaching remains a serious form of organized crime.
“Rhino poaching not only threatens our wildlife, but also endangers the safety of our members. This incident shows that our anti-poaching units will take action to protect our natural heritage,” said Hadebe.
A search for the suspects continues.