According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the arrests came after field rangers on patrol in the Skukuza area discovered the tracks of four individuals and started searching the area. During the operation, they spotted four males who fled when they spotted the rangers, prompting a chase by the rangers.
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Two of the suspects were apprehended, while the other two managed to flee.
One of the arrested suspects was identified as a former Kruger Park ranger who had previously worked in the park. He was dismissed in 2021 for conspiracy to commit a crime, a matter still being heard in the Skukuza Regional Court.
At the time of his arrest, the former Kruger Park ranger was found wearing a ranger’s uniform.
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The suspects were found in possession of one impala head, one dead warthog, and seven snares. When asked to produce a valid hunting permit, they failed to do so. Skukuza police were called to the scene, where they arrested.
Both suspects are expected to appear before the Masoyi periodical court today on charges of illegal hunting and trespassing.
