12 men, including police, arrested for rhino poaching
ROODEPOORT - Three police officers are among the arrested rhino poaching syndicate
Hawks have confirmed that 12 men, including three police officers, appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on 26 November.
They are facing charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, money laundering and racketeering, rhino poaching and corruption.
Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said three police officers were granted R500 bail each while one resident is out on R3 000 bail.
Brig Mulaudzi said the eight alleged rhino-poaching ringleaders were remanded in custody.
“The alleged ringleaders are expected to appear again in court on 1 December for a bail application while the officers and one resident are expected to be back in court on 16 January,” said Brig Mulaudzi.
The two arrested policemen are stationed at Acacia in Pretoria and the other one in Rustenburg.
“We have to bring them to Roodepoort because we did not want them to appear closer to their homes,” explained Brig Mulaudzi.
He added that the men were arrested during the Hawks’ multi-disciplinary and intelligence-led operation in two provinces on 24 and 25 November.
The operation dubbed, ‘Operation Ringleader’, was conducted in conjunction with Crime Intelligence, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory and the National Prosecuting Authority.
“They were arrested in Gauteng and North West.”
Brig Mulaudzi said that the group has been the subject of investigation since 2013 and is alleged to have contributed to the illegal poaching of rhinos and illicit dealing in rhino horns in Klerksdorp, Rustenburg, Pretoria and Johannesburg.
During the operation, 13 illegal firearms – including eight rifles and five pistols, three small scales, one electrical hacksaw, four rhino horns, chopped rhino horns worth R1.1 million in cash and eight luxury vehicles were found and confiscated.
“The seized items included money estimated to be around R6 million.”
The National Head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Mthandazo Ntlemeza commended the multi-disciplinary team for their sterling work in securing the arrest of the alleged rhino poaching syndicate ringleaders and police members.
“We are pleased with the arrest and resultant confiscations. This successful operation, yet again illustrates the good working relationship we have with our stakeholders,” said Lt Gen Ntlemeza.
“I want to warn poachers that the Hawks will leave no stone unturned in the fight against rhino poaching and we will ensure that poachers are brought to book and convicted. The broom is still sweeping. This operation is continuing until all syndicates are wiped out,” he concluded.
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