A 47-year-old man is scheduled to appear before the Kabokweni magistrate’s court in Mpumalanga on charges of rhino horn trafficking.
The suspect was apprehended after members of the Wildlife Trafficking and the directorate for priority criminal investigation in Mpumalanga collaborated to track him down in Johannesburg.
Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, a police spokesperson, stated that the suspect’s DNA was detected on rhino horns seized in December during an operation named Project Blood Orange.
“The DNA samples were transferred to a laboratory, and the findings of the tests positively linked him to the crime scene. “A case file was opened and an arrest warrant was issued for him,” Sekgotodi added.
The accused is allegedly affiliated with syndicates in the Kruger National Park rhino poaching saga.
According to media sources, the defendant colluded with Martin Prince Lekhuleni and Eunice Lekhuleni, who are suspected of money laundering in connection with payments for information to poaching syndicates.
Martin is believed to have deposited funds into the bank accounts of Kruger National Park field rangers and their families in exchange for tactical intelligence utilized by poaching syndicates.
Joyce Maluleke, Stephinah Mbhombi, Oters Maluleke, Miyelani Maluleke, and 22-year-old Nkhesane Maluleke were detained during a takedown operation and later freed on R5,000 bail apiece.
»Suspect member of a rhino poaching ring is due in court«