By BAKANG MOKOTO
24 October 2024- Three suspects who were arrested for conspiracy to commit rhino poaching and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, were remanded in custody. Sarmento Guilvica (45), Armando Chongo (35) and Donald Devesse (39), briefly appeared before the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on 22 October 2024.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the case against the accused persons, who are all Mozambican foreign nationals, was postponed until 25 October 2024. Mokgwabone said the trio was arrested during a crime intelligence led operation in Lichtenburg on Saturday afternoon, 19 October 2024.
“After intelligence was operationalised by the Lichtenburg Visible Policing, K9 Unit and members of Omgee Neighbourhood Watch. The suspects’ white Toyota Hilux double cab bakkie was ultimately spotted near Lichtenburg town on the R52 road (Koster/Lichtenburg).
“The suspects were taken to Lichtenburg Police Station together with their vehicle for a search. During the search, four ammunition were found. In addition, the team discovered a hunting rifle with filed off serial number, 10 ammunition, two knives and a cooler box,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said the preliminary investigation into the matter revealed that Guilvica has a pending case of unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition in Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province. He added that the second accused, Armando Chongo, was released on parole on 15 August 2024, whilst serving seven years imprisonment for rhino poaching.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, hailed the police for their commitment in the fight against rhino poaching and illegal proliferation of firearms.
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