In a significant development following the devastating rhino massacre at Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve, near Ceres in the Klein Karoo, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed the arrest of the suspects responsible for the heinous act. The culprits are set to appear in court soon.
Last week, the heart-wrenching incident shocked the nation as four magnificent rhinos were brutally killed for their horns, while a fifth was left severely injured on Inverdoorn Game Reserve, situated just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Cape Town in the Western Cape.
Expressing his profound dismay, Inverdoorn’s owner, Searl Derman, stated, “I was horrified to relive this nightmare! As with our previous poaching incident at Aquila Private Game Reserve in 2011, we will again spare no expense or effort in our relentless pursuit to catch and bring justice to these vicious perpetrators who massacred our rhino.”
In a bid to aid the investigation and capture of the criminals behind this heart-wrenching act, Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve had offered a substantial reward of R100,000 for “confidential information that will lead to the successful arrest of the criminals that brought much heartache and loss to the staff and management of this unique Western Cape private game reserve.”
Today, SAPS issued an official statement, revealing that “Four suspects aged between 27 and 56 are expected to make their court appearance in Ceres this morning on charges relating to poaching following their arrest over the weekend.”
According to the South African police, “It is suspected that the suspects are responsible for the death of four rhinos and the injury caused to a fifth one on 08 December 2021 on a game reserve in Ceres. Two of the suspects are also facing charges relating to the Immigration Act. Police investigations continue.”
