Collaborative efforts between Eyes & Ears Initiative stakeholders; the South African Police Service (SAPS), the farming community and private security companies have led to the arrests of three suspected rhino poachers in Boshof.
On Saturday, 24 October 2026, at approximately 15:21 police received information about possible rhino poaching at a farm in the Boshof policing precinct. This is after farm security discovered two white rhinoceroses shot and killed. Two suspects were allegedly found in the process of dehorning the rhinos.
Police recovered the two horns that were removed from one of the rhinos. The suspects were, however, intercepted by security before they could dehorn the second rhinoceros.
One of the suspects was immediately arrested. The second suspect attempted to flee the scene but was also traced and arrested with the assistance of local farmers.
Police confiscated one (1) CZ Win Mag rifle, six (6) live rounds, and one (1) handsaw and knives and booked them in as evidence.
The two males aged 40 and 49 were arrested in Boshof.
Preliminary investigations were conducted and revealed that the third suspect aged 46, who was alleged to be the driver, had fled to Kimberley. He was then traced and apprehended by Kimberley police in the Northern Cape. The Isuzu pickup he was travelling in was also seized and booked in as evidence.
The three suspects are expected to appear in the Boshof Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 October 2026, on a charge of rhino poaching.
The Lejweleputswa District Commissioner Major General (Dr) Tholie Afonso has commended the great teamwork displayed by the Provincial and Bultfontein #StockTheft and #EndangeredSpecies units, the Boshof #RuralSafety, the provincial Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) task team, the farming community and private security companies. “The #SAPS reaffirms its commitment to fight against illegal hunting of endangered species through integrated operations,” said General.
#FightingCrime #ProtectedSpecies #PartnershipPolicing #SaferCommunities