Latest news with #PaulMagwaza
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Three suspected rhino poachers arrested in Paulpietersburg, KZN
The poachers were found in possession of two unlicensed rifles and a rhino horn. Police have arrested three suspected rhino poachers in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The rhino poachers, aged 34 and 50 years old, were handcuffed in Paulpietersburg in the early hours of Saturday morning, 26 July 2025. Rhino poaching Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza said the poachers were found in possession of two unlicensed rifles and a rhino horn. 'It is reported that in the early hours of Friday morning, the three suspects, who were wearing face-concealing masks, entered a game reserve, and accosted two security guards, tied them up and robbed them of a shotgun, an R5 assault rifle, as well as their cellphones. 'They then proceeded to shoot a rhino and remove its horn. Whilst busy with their criminal activity, they were distracted by the sound of an alarm which had been activated. They fled the scene, leaving behind the shotgun next to the rhino carcass,' Magwaza said. Picture: Saps ALSO READ: Foreign nationals sentenced for rhino poaching conspiracy in SA Arrest Magwaza said officers were alerted of the incident, and they responded swiftly. 'Upon their arrival at the scene, the suspects had already fled the game reserve. Police members, together with private security personnel, worked tirelessly throughout the day looking for the suspects. With assistance from community members, the suspects were eventually arrested as they took refuge in the bush. 'In their possession was an R5 rifle, a 303 rifle, and a rhino horn. The vehicle in which they were travelling was seized by the police. The suspects were charged with armed robbery, rhino poaching, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition,' Magwaza said. The rhino poachers are expected to appear at the Vryheid Magistrates' Court on Monday, 28 July 2025. 'The Last Ranger' Meanwhile, an Oscar-nominated short film 'The Last Ranger' has highlighted the scourge surrounding endangered rhinos and South Africa's poaching crisis while exploring the emotional and ecological realities of rhino poaching in the country. Based on true events and told largely in isiXhosa, The Last Ranger follows Khuselwa, a committed game ranger in the Eastern Cape, and Litha, a curious young Xhosa girl who becomes her apprentice. Together, they represent two generations grappling with the dangers of poaching and the cultural weight of protecting one of the world's most endangered animals, the rhino. 'This isn't just a film; it's a window into a world many of us rarely see,' said Maluṱa Netshaulu, head of social impact portfolio development at Nedbank, who spoke at the premiere. ALSO READ: SA is in the forefront of saving rhinos from poaching
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Three men arrested for rhino poaching in KwaZulu-Natal
Three men suspected of violent poaching incident at a KwaZulu-Natal game reserve arrested. Image: Armand Hough Three men believed to be behind a violent poaching incident at a KwaZulu-Natal game reserve have been arrested and found in possession of two unlicensed rifles and a rhino horn. Police in KwaZulu-Natal, working alongside private security companies, apprehended the suspects, aged between 34 and 50, in Paulpietersburg on Saturday, following an intensive manhunt. According to a statement from the Office of the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in KwaZulu-Natal, the suspects entered a game reserve in the early hours of Friday, wearing face-concealing masks. They accosted and tied up two security guards, robbing them of an R5 assault rifle, a shotgun, and their cellphones. 'They then proceeded to shoot a rhino and removed its horn. While busy with their criminal activity, they were distracted by the sound of an alarm that had been activated,' said Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza. The suspects fled the scene, leaving behind the shotgun next to the rhino's carcass. Police responded swiftly to the alert but found that the suspects had already fled. Officers and private security personnel spent the day combing the area with assistance from community members. The suspects were eventually found hiding in the bush and arrested. 'In their possession was an R5 rifle, a .303 rifle, and a rhino horn,' said Magwaza. 'The police seized the vehicle in which they were travelling.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The suspects are facing charges of armed robbery, rhino poaching, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. They are due to appear at the Vryheid Magistrate's Court on Monday, 28 July 2025. The arrest comes just weeks after Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dr Dion George revealed that 103 rhinos were poached across South Africa in the first three months of 2025, with 16 incidents reported in KwaZulu-Natal alone. 'The loss of 103 rhinos to poaching in the first three months of 2025 is a stark reminder of the relentless threat to our wildlife,' Dr George said, while commending efforts that led to zero poaching incidents in four provinces. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment continues to work with SAPS and the NPA to strengthen law enforcement and bail opposition for poaching suspects. THE MERCURY
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Three nabbed after armed robbery and rhino killed at Paulpietersburg game reserve
Three suspected poachers have been arrested after allegedly shooting a rhino and removing its horn at a game reserve in Paulpietersburg in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday morning. The three men are alleged to have held up two security guards and robbed them of their shotguns, R5 rifles and cellphones after tying them up. The suspects, aged between 30 and 50 years , were arrested on Saturday morning in a collaborative effort between police and private security. Police spokesperson Lt-Col Paul Magwaza said the trio were found with two unlicensed rifles and a rhino horn in their possession.
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Trio of rhino poachers nabbed in KwaZulu-Natal after bold game reserve robbery
Police in KwaZulu-Natal, assisted by private security, apprehended three alleged rhino poachers in the early hours of Saturday morning in the small town of Paulpietersburg. The suspects, aged between 34 and 50 years, were found in possession of two unlicensed rifles and one rhino horn after a brazen heist at a local game reserve. According to reports, the three men, disguised with face-concealing masks, infiltrated the reserve on Friday morning, where they threatened and bound two security guards. Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza, said during the assault, the suspects made off with a shotgun, an R5 assault rifle, and the guards' mobile phones before greedily turning their sights on a rhino.
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- The Citizen
Wanted attempted murder suspect killed in police shootout
A SUSPECT wanted for the attempted murder of SAPS members was fatally wounded in a shootout with police in the early hours of this morning in Cato Manor. KZN SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza, said that the suspect was in hiding after opening fire at police officers on Dunbar Road, Cato Manor, on Sunday. One police officer was injured during that incident when a bullet struck him on the arm. Magwaza said that just after midnight, on Tuesday, July 22, members of eThekwini District Tracing Team traced the suspect to a residence at Wiggins Road in Cato Manor where he was cornered and allegedly greeted the police officers with gunfire. 'He opened fire towards the police through the window,' said Magwaza. 'Police returned fire and during the resultant shootout, the suspect was shot and fatally wounded.' Also Read: Suspects killed in Cato Crest's police-suspect shoot-out It is alleged that the deceased suspect was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. 'The suspect was wanted for a case of attempted murder of police officers after he fired shots at police on July 19 on Dunbar Road in Cato Manor, an incident which left one police officer injured,' confirmed Magwaza. He said no officer was injured in the incident. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
