The suspects from Mozambique were lying in wait to shoot and dehorn the rhino, when police descended on them and made the arrest, according to a statement by the SAPS.
“The suspects, a 16-year-old minor [who cannot be named], Phineas Baloyi (47) and Phillip Xihlangu (44) were found in possession of an unlicensed 3.75 rifle with ammunition,” said Limpopo SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.
The suspects appeared briefly at the local magistrates’ court on charges of poaching and possession of an unlicensed firearm, said Mulaudzi.
The latest rhino poaching stats from www.stoprhinopoaching.com show that, as of 30 July, Limpopo has the highest number of rhinos poached this year so far at 82.
