Johannesburg - Three men have been arrested in connection with a spate of rhino killings in the North West, the Hawks said on Friday.
Captain Paul Ramaloko said the men were arrested in central Pretoria, Katlehong and Alberton in Gauteng on Thursday evening.
Three hunting rifles believed to have been used to hunt rhino were confiscated.
“The men are believed to be part of one syndicate and there are still more people involved. Bit by bit we are getting them down. We are closing in on the kingpin.”
The men, aged 36 to 58, would appear in Brits Magistrate's Court on Monday.
They were linked to a trio arrested on Tuesday for the poaching of eight rhino on the farm Klipkopspruit, near Brits. Acting on a tip-off, the Hawks found them in their homes in the Lethabo township. One of them was a ranger.
The men, aged between 47 and 59, appeared in the Brits Magistrate's Court on Thursday. Their case was postponed to December 5 for a formal bail application.
Ramaloko said at least 21 rhino were slain in the province this month. He could not confirm if one syndicate was responsible for all the killings.
“We will be guided by the outcomes of the investigation.”
Sapa