LIMPOPO. – An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested following a shooting between wildlife officers and alleged poachers in the Kruger National Park. The young suspect was found at the scene with a gunshot wound to his leg. Four other suspects managed to escape. A buffalo carcass valued at approximately R80 000 was found near the suspect. The buffalo was allegedly killed with pangas.
The incident took place on Thursday at around 15:30 in the Xipala section in the Vhembe district. The young suspect was found at the scene with a gunshot wound to his leg. Four other suspects managed to escape.
Col. Malesela Ledwaba, police spokesperson, says police were alerted to the shooting by a wildlife officer and rushed to the scene. According to preliminary information, the 18-year-old was part of a group of five allegedly involved in poaching. The group allegedly opened fire on the approaching wildlife officers.
The suspect was taken to hospital for treatment and subsequently placed under police guard. He is expected to appear in the magistrate's court in Saselamani on Monday on charges of attempted murder and poaching. Police are still searching for the four other suspects.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
