Fugitive Mozambican Rhino Poacher Arrested In South Africa

By Jorge Joaquim

 South African police in Mpumalanga district have caught Odis Maluleke, a ‘most wanted’ Mozambican rhino poacher who was first arrested in 2015 and failed to appear in court.

He was rearrested in 2019 while trying to enter Kruger national park with a hunting rifle but absconded again.

He is now set to face the Mhala Regional Court on 18 May, according to South African publication IOL.

“Thanks to the whistle-blowers as well as members of the SAPS from the Skukuza stock theft unit who were assisted by members of the tactical response team (TRT). The man is said to have been running away from facing court cases against him where he was allegedly involved in poaching,” Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said.

According to the police report, Maluleke was first arrested along with three of his alleged accomplices on July 20, 2015.