Rifle seized, 32-year-old arrested as rhino poachers flee into the bush near Seven Fountains

A 32-year-old man is in police custody after an overnight operation on a farm near Seven Fountains in the Eastern Cape disrupted what police describe as a suspected rhino poaching attempt, the South African Police Service said in a media statement.

Police recovered an unloaded.375 H&H high-calibre hunting rifle, an unattached silencer and various poaching implements during the arrest. The suspect faces charges including possession of an unlicensed firearm and conspiracy to commit rhino poaching. He is expected to appear before the Makhanda Magistrate’s Court soon, according to the statement.

The operation began on Monday night, 26 October 2026, at about 23h00, when an off-duty member of the Port Alfred K9 Unit received intelligence about possible rhino poaching activity on the farm. The member placed himself and his certified patrol dog, K9 Kayzer, back on duty to act on the information.

On arrival, the K9 member joined the SAPS Makhanda Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STES) and an Anti-Poaching Unit to set up waylay duties and keep the targeted area under close surveillance through the night.

The team spotted three suspects at about 10:50 on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. The suspects fled on foot into the surrounding bush. A chase followed, and the K9 team intercepted and apprehended one of them.

A search operation is still under way for the two remaining suspects who fled the scene.

The Sarah Baartman District Commissioner, Major General Thandiswa Kupiso, commended the operational team. “The selflessness of an off-duty member placing himself and his K9 partner on immediate duty to protect our endangered wildlife speaks volumes about the calibre of officers within our ranks,” she said in the statement. “This successful disruption sends a clear message to poaching syndicates that our members are always vigilant, on or off duty. We will continue to protect our infrastructure and heritage with every resource at our disposal.”

Enquiries on the case can be directed to Captain Marius McCarthy on 071 475 1660. The full statement is available at https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=72074.