Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
05 December 2023
Several wildlife species, two hunting rifles, bushknives, a number of ammunitions, and a vehicle were confiscated in the early hours of Monday, 04 December 2023 at about 03h00.
According to police report, the suspects, aged between 17 and 42, were nabbed as they invaded the plantation, and they were spotted through technological devices.
The security personnel responded to the location in the mountainous plantation in Mauchsburg, where different wildlife species were slaughtered and loaded into the light delivery vehicle.
Police in Sabie were summoned to the scene and handed over the case to Pilgrimsrest for further handling. Officials from Nature Conversation were also roped in.
Two licensed hunting rifles with close to 500 live rounds of ammunition, seven mobile phones, six torches, and bushknives were confiscated.The vehicle that was used to transport the carcasses was also confiscated.
The vehicle was not reported stolen, as the owner was one of the arrested suspects.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the wildlife was due to be supplied to illegal miners in and around Pilgrimsrest.
The investigation continues, and the suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, commended the teamwork that led to the arrest of the suspects.
