Thandy Ndlovu

Skukuza - Rangers rescued two suspected rhino poachers who were mauled by lions in the Kruger National Park.

The two men were hospitalised and charged with trespassing and the possession of an unlicensed AK47 assault rifle and pistol.

Emmanuel Ngobeni, 34, and Mtlakavaka Matose, 35, of Masingeri in Mozambique appeared in Skukuza circuit court on Wednesday.

They were not asked to plead and were remanded in custody until they appear again on May 27.

Skukuza branch commander Inspector Willie Broodryk said rangers who were on patrol at the Nwanetsi concession near Satara camp on March 17 heard the two men calling for help.

"They found the two suspects crawling along the ground as they couldn't walk after being attacked by lions the previous night," said Broodryk.

He said the men are believed to have fired the two weapons to chase the lions away as there were spent cartridges on the scene. There was no evidence that the lions were injured, however.

The men denied the weapons belonged to them, so police have sent the weapons for forensic tests.

The men are believed to be rhino poachers, as rhino poachers are known to use AK-47s to kill the animals.

The two men were flown to hospital where they were treated for two weeks for injuries before being discharged.

- African Eye

I was told last week that apparently the Rhino poaching is still rife in the Kruger, and even though substantial effort is expended against it there just aren't enough rescources.

It makes you wonder how some selective hunting in the more remote areas of the Kruger would generate the revenue to be more effective in the fight against poaching.

Some people just won't accept it though.

FB

Fallow - You are correct on both counts. Makes sense and it will not be done.