Riot Hlatshwayo

Riot Hlatshwayo

A Mozambican man who was caught red-handed in possession of two fresh rhino horns and a rifle in the Kruger National Park (KNP) will remain in custody pending his next court appearance on December 3

Sebastiano Mpungu Nghulele, 58, was not asked to plead to a charge of poaching when he appeared in the Saselamani periodical court near Giyani, Limpopo, this week.

Nghulele was arrested in the Vlakteplaas area in the northern part of the park on Sunday following a six-day manhunt. Officials had received information about his illegal activities in the park.

"We are happy that our people were able to help in the arrest of the alleged poacher," said KNP's managing executive Bandile Mkhize.

Mkhize said the arrest was effected by the park's rangers and special investigators from the South African National Parks Corporate Investigation Service.

Nghulele was taken into custody and transported to the Saselamani police station near the Punda Maria gate in the north.

Police confiscated two rhino horns, a .458 rifle, two okapi knives, a panga and various other items.