Two more held over NWest rhino

File photo by Reuters.

File photo by Reuters.

Published Nov 23, 2012

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Johannesburg - Two more men have been arrested in connection with a spate of rhino killings in the North West on Friday, bringing the total to five over the past day, the Hawks said.

Captain Paul Ramaloko said the two men were arrested near Kroondal, in the Matabele squatter camp on Friday.

They are believed to be part of the same organisation as three men 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 three men, aged 36 to 58, would appear in the Brits Magistrate's Court on Monday.

They were linked to another trio arrested on Tuesday for poaching 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.

These 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

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