According to police, since the trio’s arrest in June last year there has not been a single incident of rhino poaching in South Africa involving darting.
The men’s upcoming trial will be the first of its kind in South Africa, with a forensic dart gun testing system – similar to that of a firearm ballistics system – being used to link specific darts to the guns used in poachings.
Jabulani Ndlovu, 38, and Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu, 37, who both live in Port Elizabeth, and Forget Ndlovu, 40, of George – they are not related – were apprehended at the Makana Resort outside Grahamstown for the alleged possession of a rhino horn worth an estimated R1.2-million.
The horn was cut off a white rhino bull poached on the Buckland’s Game Reserve.
In what is expected to be a gripping trial, police and prosecutors will paint a picture of a highly organised syndicate which travels the country killing and dehorning rhinos.
