Five suspected rhino poachers were fatally shot during a shootout with police on the evening of Saturday, 9 May 2026.
According to police reports, officers had gathered intelligence indicating that the suspects were traveling along the R618 Road toward a game reserve. In response, a stop-and-search operation was established on the same road.
When the suspects arrived at the roadblock, an exchange of gunfire broke out between them and the police. Five suspects were shot and sustained fatal wounds. No police officers were injured in the incident.
Following the shootout, authorities recovered a hunting rifle fitted with a silencer and two pistols from the suspects’ possession.