Three suspected rhino poachers abandoned their vehicle leaving behind a rhino horn, firearm and tower battery
A high-speed chase forced three suspects to abandon their vehicle, rhino horn, tower battery, silencer, firearm and ammunition to evade the arrest.
The trio were intercepted by Volkrust police who were conducting a stop and search operation in Mandela Drive, Volkrust yesterday Monday 09 October 2023 at about 22:00.
Police directed the vehicle, a Toyata Corolla to stop, but ignored the directives. The vehicle sped off and police tailed it. Realising that they could not outclass the police, the suspects alighted from the vehicle and fled on foot.
Police searched the vehicle, a rhino horn was found concealed in a bucket wrapped with adhesive tape, a 303 assault with four live rounds and a silencer hidden in a bonnet and a tower battery.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle was not stolen and the owner has a pending case of possession of unlicensed firearm which was committed in September 2021 in Hlabisa, KwaZulu-Natal Province.
The vehicle, rhino horn, tower battery, silencer, firearm and
ammunition were confiscated for further investigation.
Police urge anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects to please contact the investigation officer Lieutenant Colonel Pretty Mavuso on 079 692 0615 or Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 alternatively on MYSAPSAPP.
All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
Source: South African Police Service