Anti-Poaching Team Swoops in on Ex-Cop in Kruger

A former policeman who was kicked off the force has appeared in court in Bushbuckridge along with three accomplices after being caught in Kruger National Park – in full view of holiday makers – allegedly on the way to poach rhino, according to news reports on Friday.

A spokesman for the Hawks reportedly confirmed that the suspects were caught near Skukuza after information was received that a poaching incident was planned for Wednesday. The main suspect tried to escape, but was apprehended by a member of the Environmental Crime Investigations unit.

In their vehicle police found a .458 hunting rifle, a silencer, a magazine with 20 rounds, nine knives, and two two wave radios, amongst other things, a news report said. The police said that the unit tracked down a second suspected vehicle via helicopter and landed in full view of holidaying wildlife watchers to catch one of the suspects.

The photos on this page were captured by Clinton Sybesman, from Hoedspruit, who posted them on Facebook Thursday with a caption saying: “BUSTED!!!! Kruger Park reaction team land and intercepted this suspected poacher in the vehicle behind me in the Park yesterday …?”