GRAPHIC IMAGE WARNING: This story contains a graphic picture of the head of a buck that was poached.
Durban - Three suspects were arrested for poaching at Tala Game Reserve, outside Pietermaritzburg, after police and a private security company responded to the scene.
The three suspects were found with a waterbuck carcass on Saturday.
Shaheen Suleiman from Magma Security said that in the early hours of Saturday morning, the company was notified of suspicious activities at Tala Game Reserve.
“Members proceeded to Tala Game Reserve and on their arrival they spotted the suspects. Members together with SAPS chased and caught the three men.”
Suleiman added that one waterbuck carcass was found as well as the suspects' vehicle.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala confirmed that police officers along with Magma Security had responded to an incident at a game reserve outside Pietermaritzburg.
“Local police were also alerted and the team proceeded to the game reserve and on their arrival they spotted unknown men.”
Gwala said that Camperdown police together with Magma security chased and caught three men.
“A waterbuck carcass was found, and the suspect’s vehicle was found nearby in the bush. The crime scene was searched and police found a shotgun with two rounds of ammunition.”
Gwal added that the suspects will face charges of poaching.
“The three suspects aged between 31 and 42 are expected to appear before the Camperdown Magistrate’s Court for poaching.”