South Africa: Poaching Suspects Appear in Court

Five men have appeared in court today for the possession of animal parts, the north-western city of Klerksdorp.

They were all arrested on Tuesday this week, following raids on two farms Klerksdorp and Hartbeesfonte, in South Africa’s North West Province.

Police recovered 100 rhino horns, four tiger carcasses, a tiger skin, weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, a spokesperson for the police, said the operation’s original intention had been to recover firearms and munitions.

“During the operation, a hunting rifle, shotgun, special revolver, pistol as well as a number of empty cartridges and live rounds of ammunition were recovered. 

Moreover, the police confiscated what appeared to be a tiger skin”, he said.