Three men arrested for rhino poaching in KwaZulu-Natal

Three men believed to be behind a violent poaching incident at a KwaZulu-Natal game reserve have been arrested and found in possession of two unlicensed rifles and a rhino horn.

Police in KwaZulu-Natal, working alongside private security companies, apprehended the suspects, aged between 34 and 50, in Paulpietersburg on Saturday, following an intensive manhunt.

According to a statement from the Office of the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in KwaZulu-Natal, the suspects entered a game reserve in the early hours of Friday, wearing face-concealing masks. They accosted and tied up two security guards, robbing them of an R5 assault rifle, a shotgun, and their cellphones.

“They then proceeded to shoot a rhino and removed its horn. While busy with their criminal activity, they were distracted by the sound of an alarm that had been activated,” said Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza. The suspects fled the scene, leaving behind the shotgun next to the rhino’s carcass.

Police responded swiftly to the alert but found that the suspects had already fled. Officers and private security personnel spent the day combing the area with assistance from community members. The suspects were eventually found hiding in the bush and arrested.

“In their possession was an R5 rifle, a .303 rifle, and a rhino horn,” said Magwaza. “The police seized the vehicle in which they were travelling.”

The suspects are facing charges of armed robbery, rhino poaching, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. They are due to appear at the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 28 July 2025.

The arrest comes just weeks after Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George revealed that 103 rhinos were poached across South Africa in the first three months of 2025, with 16 incidents reported in KwaZulu-Natal alone.

“The loss of 103 rhinos to poaching in the first three months of 2025 is a stark reminder of the relentless threat to our wildlife,” Dr George said, while commending efforts that led to zero poaching incidents in four provinces.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment continues to work with SAPS and the NPA to strengthen law enforcement and bail opposition for poaching suspects.

THE MERCURY