Police in Mpumalanga have launched a manhunt for three suspects who gunned down an alleged Rhino poaching kingpin on Thursday.
The dramatic shooting was captured on a CCTV camera.
South African activist and human rights attorney Richard Spoor, who is based in Mpumalanga, identified the victim as the notorious rhino poacher Petrus ‘Shenge’ Mabuza, although he has not been formally identified yet by police.
Brigadier Leonard Hlathi said, however, that the 57-year-old man, who was previously arrested on several allegations related to rhino poaching, was gunned down while sitting in his Ford Ranger bakkie near a shopping complex in Hazyview.
His matter is currently before the High Court.
Brigadier Hlathi says three gunmen driving in a VW Polo fired several shots at the victim before fleeing the scene.
He was rushed to hospital where he died from his wounds.
An elderly woman who was an innocent bystander was hit by a stray bullet in the lower body and is recovering in hospital.
A case of murder and attempted murder is under investigation.
