A police officer from the Free State was shot and injured during a rhino poaching incident in the Vredefort area on Tuesday night. The officer was shot in the leg during a shootout with suspected poachers and was rushed to the hospital, said police spokesperson, Brigadier Motantsi Makhele.
Two people have been arrested since then on charges of rhino poaching, however the gunmen remain at large.
Makhele said that the shootout took place after police received a warning of potential poaching taking place, “Prior to the official’s injury, SAPs members attached to Heilbron Stock theft and endangered species Unit and Tactical Response Team (TRT) conducted an observation watch, to follow-up information that there are suspects who wanted to poach rhino’s in the Vredefort vicinity. A motor vehicle fitting the description in the information was spotted and stopped. The two suspects aged 39 and 37 were arrested after being linked to the poaching conspiracy. Meanwhile, members from the units were still in the veld in Presidentskop waiting for the poachers. A shooting between the poachers and police ensued. One TRT member was shot on the leg and rushed to hospital for medical attention.”
Two cases have been opened – one for the attempted murder of the wounded police officer and another against the poachers.
“The two suspects will be charged for… rhino poaching and are set to appear before the Vredefort Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. There is no one arrested for the attempted murder at this stage,” said Makhele.
Sources: MSN, News24
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