2011-01-24 18:38

Johannesburg - Five people who were arrested for allegedly being in possession of rhino horns in Mahikeng were granted bail in the Lichtenburg Magistrate's Court on Monday, North West police said.

Andile Mjamba, 38, Keabetswe Phiri, 56, Ampore Motsepo, 50, Simon Phiri, 50, Montle Motsepo, 24, were granted R5 000 bail each, Captain Adele Myburgh said.

They were expected to appear in court again on February 28.

Members of the Hawks in the area initially arrested a father and his son after they were found in possession of rhino horns last weekend.

Their arrest led to the arrest of another three people. They allegedly had a total of two-and-a-half rhino horns worth about R225 000 in their possession.

Meanwhile, a 33-year-old man arrested for rhino poaching had his case postponed in the Gwa-Rankuwa Magistrate's Court on Monday, Colonel Lesego Metsi said.

Thomas Monareng would remain in police custody and was expected to appear in court on February 1 for his bail application.

Monareng, who was suspected not to be working alone, appeared briefly before the same court last week after he led police to two rhinos who were poached from Borakalalo Game Lodge.

He was connected to two different cases, one for rhino poaching and the other for possession of elephant tusks.

A total of 333 rhinos were killed and dehorned countrywide in 2010 and 162 people linked to poaching were arrested.

The highest incidence of poaching took place in the Kruger National Park with 146 rhinos killed. The North-West province followed with 57 rhino deaths, and Limpopo closely behind with 52.

KwaZulu-Natal was at the bottom of the list with only 38 reported rhino killings last year.

So far this year, poachers have killed five South African rhinos.

- SAPA