Johannesburg - Five alleged rhino poachers, arrested at the Phinda Game Reserve on the weekend, appeared in court on Tuesday, KwaZulu-Natal police said.
“Sipho Hlophe, 32, Zakhele Masinga, 33, Sbusiso Mthembu, 34, Zakhele Nxumalo, 33, and Johan Zwane, 35, appeared in court today and the case was remanded to July 29, 2014,” Colonel Jay Naicker said.
The men were arrested on Saturday after a shootout with police, in which one of the alleged poachers was wounded, Captain Thulani Zwane said on Sunday.
The five were found in possession of an unlicensed hunting rifle with three live rounds, a silencer and an axe.
They face charges of illegal hunting, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Sapa