Rustenburg – A suspected rhino poacher, arrested for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, briefly appeared in the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrate’s Court on Friday, North West police said.
Lieutenant Colonel Pelonomi Makau said Elias Clifford Mashigo, 50, of Tembeisa in Gauteng was remanded in custody until October 6 to apply for bail.
She said Mashigo was arrested on Thursday in Migdol near Schweizer-Reneke for possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed ammunition, after the police acted on a tip-off that he was on his way to Bloemhof.
His vehicle was spotted near a tavern in Migdol near Schweizer-Reneke, during questioning and search at Schweizer-Reneke police station a rifle, a silencer, seven ammunition used to kill rhinos and elephants, an axe as well as a foil were found hidden inside his vehicle. He was then arrested.
“Preliminary investigation has shown that the suspect has an outstanding case of bribery and corruption in Honeydew, Gauteng province. The police cannot rule out a likelihood that the suspect was planning to poach rhinos in the North West,” she said.
African News Agency