In a daring operation in the early hours of this morning, law enforcement and conservation officials successfully thwarted an illegal wildlife slaughter operation in Mauchsburg plantation near Pilgrimsrest. The joint effort led to the confiscation of two hunting rifles, bush knives, a significant quantity of ammunition, and a vehicle used in the illicit activities.
Security personnel responded to a technological alert, pinpointing the intrusion of suspects aged between 17 and 42 into the plantation. Upon reaching the mountainous location, officials discovered a disturbing scene of slaughtered wildlife being loaded onto a light delivery vehicle.
Local police in Sabie were immediately summoned to the scene, and the case was handed over to the Pilgrimsrest jurisdiction for further investigation. Nature Conservation officials were also called in to assess the extent of the damage and determine the total value of the slaughtered wildlife.
Among the confiscated items were two licensed hunting rifles accompanied by nearly 500 live ammunition, seven mobile phones, six torches, and various bushknives. The vehicle used to transport the carcasses was also seized, and intriguingly, its owner was identified as one of the arrested suspects. The vehicle, not reported stolen, further complicates the ongoing investigation.
Preliminary findings suggest that the slaughtered wildlife was destined for illegal miners in and around Pilgrimsrest. Authorities are working diligently to determine the market value of the confiscated wildlife once Nature Conservation officials complete their assessment.
The suspects, now in police custody, are expected to appear in court soon as investigations continue. The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, commended the collaborative effort that led to the swift arrest of the suspects. The operation underscores the importance of vigilant security measures in protecting South Africa’s diverse wildlife from illegal activities.
