The shootout took place on a private game farm near Modimolle (formerly Nylstroom) on Friday morning.

Police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said they received a tip-off that a group were planning to poach rhinos on the game farm and decided to intercept them.

He said two men were seen illegally entering the Matswane Game Lodge and were immediately ordered to stop. The men allegedly shot at the police, who returned fire.

Mulaudzi said the 39-year-old man who was shot died on the crime scene, while another man escaped.

"An intensive search was launched and the man was caught in a getaway car with the driver a few kilometres from the scene," Mulaudzi said.

A rifle and an axe were also confiscated.

"The rifle has been linked to a burglary case in Rustenburg in 2009, where three firearms were reported stolen," he said.

-frankm@sowetan.co.za

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Sat May 25 08:55:13 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 6, 2012

Kgaoza606

One more poacher killed, and another rhino is saved. STOP rhino killings!!!
Report Abuse

Aug 6, 2012

Bizzabo

Encouraging indeed!
Report Abuse

Aug 6, 2012

somaartakeit

Good riddance otherwise to otherwise bad case of destruction, well done whoever was protecting poached animals, may you have accuracy to shoot down all of the poachers.
Report Abuse

Aug 8, 2012

sabza007

I can bet you my lat Rand.Two if not all three are foreigners.No one must be allowed to take Mzansi's assets willy Nilly.Let them take the bullets.
Report Abuse

Read all 4 comments