Two rhinos shot for their horns in Komani, four horns and a silenced rifle seized as two held

Two rhinos, a mother and her calf, were shot and their horns removed at a game reserve in Komani in the Eastern Cape, and police have arrested two foreign national men aged 35 and 36 over the killings.

According to the South African Police Service, police received information from Crime Intelligence on Saturday, 31 October 2026 at about 06:55 that the two rhinos had been shot and their horns taken at a local game reserve. A police team working with private security companies and other stakeholders responded to the scene.

Intelligence gathered there led police to identify a vehicle believed to be linked to the incident. At about 16:00 that vehicle was spotted by Red Guard Security members at a garage on Cathcart Road in Komani, and the information was passed to SAPS members. A takedown followed and two suspects were arrested. A third suspect managed to flee and evade arrest.

Further follow-up led to the recovery of four rhino horns, a.375 calibre H&H Magnum rifle fitted with a silencer, and live rounds of ammunition. Police also confiscated a VW Polo with Cape Town registration plates, which they say was used in the commission of an offence, three cellphones and an unlicensed firearm with ammunition.

The two men are due to appear before the Komani Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 02 November 2026 on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, illegal hunting of protected species, and possession of suspected stolen property, namely the rhino horns.

Enquiries on the case are directed to Captain Yolisa Mgolodela of the Office of the Provincial Commissioner in the Eastern Cape. The SAPS statement is the official account of the incident and the arrests. The canonical statement is available at https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=72181.