A suspected rhino poaching ringleader and nine accomplices have been arrested by the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks). 
The suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in a number of rhino poaching and related crimes. The arrest follows a multi-dimensional and intelligence-led operation in four provinces.  
The alleged ringleader was arrested in the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court on Friday morning while appearing on a separate rhino-poaching related case.  The other suspects were arrested simultaneously in Polokwane in Limpopo, Ficksburg in the Free State, Potchefstroom in the North West and in Montana, Mamelodi and Kameeldrift in Gauteng.  The syndicate mainly operated in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Gauteng, and KwaZulu Natal.
The group is alleged to have contributed to the brutal slaughter and mutilation of 24 rhinos in State and privately owned game reserves. Only two of the 24 rhinos that had been attacked survived, but they were dehorned after they had been darted. The 34 horns were either stolen or obtained through other devious means. In total, the syndicate illegally obtained 84 rhino horns and killed 22 rhinos valued at nearly R22 million. 
The 10 suspects appeared in the Hatfield Court in Pretoria on Monday, September 22. The Citizen reported that the State had requested a postponement until next Monday September 29 and that the suspected ringleader had not requested bail.
“The first court appearance of the accused on these charges on World Rhino Day on Monday is significant in that it sends a strong message of the government’s commitment to addressing the scourge of rhino poaching,” said Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa. 
Last week, SANParks also reported that three SANParks employees had been arrested in connection with rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park in a joint SANParks and South African Police Services (SAPS) operation.
SANParks Acting CEO, Abe Sibiya, said the three employees based in the Lower Sabie area had been found with a hunting rifle, ammunition, vehicle and poaching equipment during the arrest. 
He said the arrest came shortly after the discovery of a freshly killed rhino in the Lower Sabie section of the park. 
“The SANParks and SAPS officials who effected the arrests are congratulated for their outstanding work. These arrests send a strong message that officials alleged to be involved in poaching will be arrested and face the full might of the law,” said Sibiya. “It is unfortunate that those trusted with the well-being of these animals are alleged to have become the destroyers of the same heritage that they have a mandate to protect.”