Poachers nabbed with $240 000 worth of rhino, elephant horns

THREE suspected game poachers, who were recently nabbed in the Hwange National Park after they were found in possession of over $240 000 worth of rhino horns and elephant tusks, have been remanded in custody to February 11 this year. The three, Denford and Casper Ndebele and Boniface Ndlovu, denied the charges of unlawful possession of rhino horns and ivory when they appeared before Hwange magistrate Lindiwe Maphosa yesterday. Instead, the suspects said they had been hired by two parks rangers to transport the horns and tusks to a sub camp located in the vast national park.Their lawyer Thulani Nkala indicated that he would make a bail application today. Khumbulani Ndlovu for the State told the court that on January 23 at around 9pm, the three were intercepted in the Sinamatela area while driving a Toyota Noah car and allegedly failed to explain the purpose of their visit to the park. The rangers then searched the vehicle and allegedly recovered two rhino horns and two elephant tusks, leading to the suspects’ arrest. Source: Newsday