Rhino poaching kingpin in the dock

Alex Eliseev | 4 Hours Ago

A rhino poaching kingpin and four of his foot soldiers have been arrested for killing a rhinoceros and wounding another in the Kruger National Park.

The man is due to appear in court for the first time on Tuesday morning and stands accused of financing the poaching and planning to sell horns to syndicates.

At least three rhinos were killed this weekend with more than 150 rhinos this year.

Eyewitness News understands the 28-year-old kingpin was arrested on Thursday after being linked to poaching in the Pafuri area in Kruger Park.

It is believed the men hoped to receive R250 000 for that horn which would be sold for as much as four times that on the black market.

Officers from South African National Parks (Sanparks) caught them early last week with the weapon and axes and called in The Hawks to help trace the kingpin.

The Zimbabwean man was arrested in Bapsfontein,east of Johannesburg, on Thursday.

Police are cracking down on rhino horn poaching which has been described as a crisis by wildlife organisations.

Investigators hope to tumble the dominoes and arrest senior syndicate members soon.