Caption: The rifle and ammunition allegedly stolen by field ranger
By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe Kopano Dibakwane
A 37 year-old Ranger was arrested on Wednesday 31 July after a rifle went missing in Skukuza two weeks ago. The arrest reportedly follows an operation conducted by the South African Police Service(SAPS) alongside SANParks(South African National Parks).
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, the operation was ironically carried out on World Rangers Day.
“ Through meticulous questioning and investigative efforts, one of the Rangers was identified as a suspect. The rifle was later uncovered with about 18 ammunition. The items were hidden inside a ceiling at Hluvukani near Thulamahashe, in the Bushbuckridge area,” Mdhluli said.
Kruger National Park spokesperson, Ike Phaahla, said it was discovered that a firearm had been stolen from one of the sections and this prompted an investigation which revealed that an employee had participated in the theft.
“ A multi-disciplinary team of investigators from the SAPS Stock Theft & Endangered Species Unit, SANParks Environmental Crime Investigative Unit(ECI) and Vispol, followed upon the information.
“ An enquiry led to the field Ranger being brought in for an interview after which he took the investigators to his father’s house; wherein they recovered the firearm, ammunition, a silencer and a magazine. The suspect was then arrested and taken into custody,” said Phaahla.
He added that an internal disciplinary hearing is underway and details of his court appearance will be communicated.
Colonel Mdhluli confirmed that, as per standard procedure, the firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine whether it was not used previously to commit crime elsewhere.
Mpumalanga Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major-General(Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, said SAPS takes incidents of missing firearms very seriously.
“ We are committed to ensuring the safety of citizens. We commend the collaborative efforts of SANParks and our dedicated teams for their swift action in this matter,” said Mkhwanazi.
