Shot rhino poacher may be Kruger employee

SANParks officials and law enforcement authorities have ‘remained mum’ on speculation that a suspected rhino poacher (48) shot and killed by park rangers was a former Kruger National Park ranger ‘gone rogue’. A News24 report notes that SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said that the man was allegedly shot and killed on Sunday before last during a fire-fight with rangers in the Maritenga Block in the northern section of the park, near Punda Maria. ‘Initially, after spotting a group of suspected rhino poachers moving through park, rangers confronted the suspects, whereby they were targeted and shot at. The rangers retaliated and a deceased suspect was found mortally wounded. Three remaining suspects escaped into the surrounding bushes,’ Ngoepe said. Two rifles and ammunition, and bags full of axes, machetes and knives were recovered. Pressed for more details and confirmation that the deceased was a former game ranger, Ngoepe declined to comment, citing ‘ongoing investigations’.