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One suspected poacher was injured and is in a critical condition at an undisclosed hospital.
The police’s Hangwani Mulaudzi says the third suspect will appear in court soon on charges that include trespassing.
;A new modus operandi we have uncovered, is that poachers are wearing SANParks uniform, while others are wearing a Mozambican military uniform. ;
Police are now investigating whether the incident was an inside job.
;The confiscated firearm will also be taken for ballistics testing. We’re hoping they will be taken to court soon. They will be facing a series of charges including attempted poaching, trespassing and impersonation, ; said Mulaudzi.
The Kruger National Park is inviting bids for rhinos under a plan to move 500 of the animals to safety to counter a ;, highly prized in some Asian countries as a sign of wealth.
In newspaper ads on Sunday, SANParks invited potential buyers to ;make a written offer to purchase white rhinos in batches of 20 or more ;.
Private ranchers own around 5,000 of South Africa’s 20,000 rhinos, part of a thriving game farming industry in Africa’s most advanced economy that caters to eco-tourism and hunting.
The government is now turning to the private sector because the ;has become the main poaching ground for the animals.
More than 1,000 were poached in South Africa last year, three times the tally in 2010, to meet soaring demand for rhino horn which is erroneously thought to be medicine in fast-growing economies such as China and Vietnam.
‘KINGPIN’ BEHIND BARS
The alleged kingpin behind a multimillion rand rhino poaching syndicate was remanded in custody in September.
North West businessman ;was arrested along with nine other people earlier this month in connection with a spate of poaching incidents across the country.
A Hawks officer, a pilot and an attorney are among those implicated in the syndicate which has illegally acquired an estimated R22 million worth of ;. ;
In addition to killing rhino, the 10 are also accused of stealing confiscated horns poached by other groups.
Ras’s legal representatives told the Pretoria Magistrates Court that he would not proceed with a bail application.
His wife and three other accused opted to apply for bail.
Animal rights activists have called for the group to remain behind bars.
Police also seized an illegal firearm and scheduled veterinary drugs when they arrested Ras.
His advocate told the court the firearm was a rusted antique.
He also said Ras previously owned a game farm, where the medicines seized were used for the live capture and transfer of animals.
The professional hunter has several previous convictions related to nature conservation transgressions.
In a ;in 2011, Ras was granted bail in the same court.
In 2004, he was charged with murder after a lion on his game farm killed an employee.
It is believed Ras is helping police with further investigations.
(Edited by Victoria Campbell-Gillies)
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