DUO IN COURT FOR POSSESSION OF RHINO HORNS
MPUMALANGA – Junior Chauke (49) and Prince Ntsako Letswele (33) were remanded in custody by the Ermelo Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 9 December 2022 after they were arrested by the Ermelo SAPS on Thursday, 8 December 2022, following an information about a vehicle with the occupants in possession of firearms which was driving towards Ermelo.
The police went to the direction of the road where the vehicle was coming from and spotted it. The suspects in the vehicle tried to flee upon seeing the police but were both arrested. The Secunda based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation were summoned and the crime scene was handed over to them for processing.
The white Toyota Fortuner was searched in the presence of the suspects. During the search, two big and two small rhino horns weighing 14,6 kilograms to the value of R876 000 were found inside the plastic bag hidden in the engine compartment. The rhino horns and the vehicle were confiscated for further investigation.
The case against the duo was postponed to 14 December 2022 for profiling and legal representative. Suspects remained in custody until the 14th.
Also read: Kidnapped truck driver rescued – two (2) suspects arrested
Junior Chauke (49) and Prince Ntsako Letswele (33) appeared before the Ermelo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 14 December 2022 for possession of rhino horns. Junior Chauke was released on R10 000 bail with conditions while Prince Ntsako Letswele was remanded in custody
Police urge anyone with any information on Crime to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
