Three nabbed after armed robbery and rhino killed at Paulpietersburg game reserve
The three men are alleged to have held up two security guards and robbed them of their shotguns, R5 rifles and cellphones after tying them up.
The suspects, aged between 30 and 50 years , were arrested on Saturday morning in a collaborative effort between police and private security.
Police spokesperson Lt-Col Paul Magwaza said the trio were found with two unlicensed rifles and a rhino horn in their possession.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
Three suspected rhino poachers arrested in Paulpietersburg, KZN
The poachers were found in possession of two unlicensed rifles and a rhino horn. Police have arrested three suspected rhino poachers in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The rhino poachers, aged 34 and 50 years old, were handcuffed in Paulpietersburg in the early hours of Saturday morning, 26 July 2025. Rhino poaching Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza said the poachers were found in possession of two unlicensed rifles and a rhino horn. 'It is reported that in the early hours of Friday morning, the three suspects, who were wearing face-concealing masks, entered a game reserve, and accosted two security guards, tied them up and robbed them of a shotgun, an R5 assault rifle, as well as their cellphones. 'They then proceeded to shoot a rhino and remove its horn. Whilst busy with their criminal activity, they were distracted by the sound of an alarm which had been activated. They fled the scene, leaving behind the shotgun next to the rhino carcass,' Magwaza said. Picture: Saps ALSO READ: Foreign nationals sentenced for rhino poaching conspiracy in SA Arrest Magwaza said officers were alerted of the incident, and they responded swiftly. 'Upon their arrival at the scene, the suspects had already fled the game reserve. Police members, together with private security personnel, worked tirelessly throughout the day looking for the suspects. With assistance from community members, the suspects were eventually arrested as they took refuge in the bush. 'In their possession was an R5 rifle, a 303 rifle, and a rhino horn. The vehicle in which they were travelling was seized by the police. The suspects were charged with armed robbery, rhino poaching, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition,' Magwaza said. The rhino poachers are expected to appear at the Vryheid Magistrates' Court on Monday, 28 July 2025. 'The Last Ranger' Meanwhile, an Oscar-nominated short film 'The Last Ranger' has highlighted the scourge surrounding endangered rhinos and South Africa's poaching crisis while exploring the emotional and ecological realities of rhino poaching in the country. Based on true events and told largely in isiXhosa, The Last Ranger follows Khuselwa, a committed game ranger in the Eastern Cape, and Litha, a curious young Xhosa girl who becomes her apprentice. Together, they represent two generations grappling with the dangers of poaching and the cultural weight of protecting one of the world's most endangered animals, the rhino. 'This isn't just a film; it's a window into a world many of us rarely see,' said Maluṱa Netshaulu, head of social impact portfolio development at Nedbank, who spoke at the premiere. ALSO READ: SA is in the forefront of saving rhinos from poaching
IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
Three men arrested for rhino poaching in KwaZulu-Natal
Three men suspected of violent poaching incident at a KwaZulu-Natal game reserve arrested. Image: Armand Hough Three men believed to be behind a violent poaching incident at a KwaZulu-Natal game reserve have been arrested and found in possession of two unlicensed rifles and a rhino horn. Police in KwaZulu-Natal, working alongside private security companies, apprehended the suspects, aged between 34 and 50, in Paulpietersburg on Saturday, following an intensive manhunt. According to a statement from the Office of the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in KwaZulu-Natal, the suspects entered a game reserve in the early hours of Friday, wearing face-concealing masks. They accosted and tied up two security guards, robbing them of an R5 assault rifle, a shotgun, and their cellphones. 'They then proceeded to shoot a rhino and removed its horn. While busy with their criminal activity, they were distracted by the sound of an alarm that had been activated,' said Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza. The suspects fled the scene, leaving behind the shotgun next to the rhino's carcass. Police responded swiftly to the alert but found that the suspects had already fled. Officers and private security personnel spent the day combing the area with assistance from community members. The suspects were eventually found hiding in the bush and arrested. 'In their possession was an R5 rifle, a .303 rifle, and a rhino horn,' said Magwaza. 'The police seized the vehicle in which they were travelling.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The suspects are facing charges of armed robbery, rhino poaching, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. They are due to appear at the Vryheid Magistrate's Court on Monday, 28 July 2025. The arrest comes just weeks after Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George revealed that 103 rhinos were poached across South Africa in the first three months of 2025, with 16 incidents reported in KwaZulu-Natal alone. 'The loss of 103 rhinos to poaching in the first three months of 2025 is a stark reminder of the relentless threat to our wildlife,' Dr George said, while commending efforts that led to zero poaching incidents in four provinces. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment continues to work with SAPS and the NPA to strengthen law enforcement and bail opposition for poaching suspects. THE MERCURY
TimesLIVE
9 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Three nabbed after armed robbery and rhino killed at Paulpietersburg game reserve
Three suspected poachers have been arrested after allegedly shooting a rhino and removing its horn at a game reserve in Paulpietersburg in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday morning. The three men are alleged to have held up two security guards and robbed them of their shotguns, R5 rifles and cellphones after tying them up. The suspects, aged between 30 and 50 years , were arrested on Saturday morning in a collaborative effort between police and private security. Police spokesperson Lt-Col Paul Magwaza said the trio were found with two unlicensed rifles and a rhino horn in their possession.
