Progress made in identifying poachers

PROGRESS has been made in identifying the people behind the death of six rhinos poached on the Pumba Private Game Reserve earlier this year.

The reserve lost six rhinos – including two pregnant cows – in March and April.

The animals were killed in two separate incidents about 400m from a fence bordering the Alicedale road.

Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said: "There has been remarkable progress. We are confident of a breakthrough."

Wilderness Foundation spokeswoman Cheryl Reynolds said the R50000 reward for information leading to the arrest and successful conviction of those involved in the poaching was still on the table.

Last week police arrested Sizwe Leonard Malatjie, 34, and Gideon Mtshali, 51, for being in possession of 112 horns worth more than R100-million. The horns were stolen from the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MPTA) offices in Mattafin in April.

Yesterday police confirmed Selby George Khoza, 39, who is linked to the horn theft, had been arrested in Pretoria on Tuesday night.The Hawks believe that all three man are linked to a syndicate.

They are due to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on July 2 for a bail application. - Gareth Wilson