Five suspected poachers were killed during a shootout with law enforcement officers near the Memorial Gate of the Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park on Saturday.

Authorities have clarified that the incident did not happen in the Kruger National Park, as widely reported on social media, but outside Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal.

According to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the incident happened about two kilometres from the park’s Memorial Gate along the R22/P453 road near Hluhluwe.

Officials said a joint anti-poaching operation involving the South African Police Service and Ezemvelo officers intercepted two vehicles, a Hyundai i20 and an Isuzu bakkie, carrying suspected poachers.

A shootout allegedly broke out between the suspects and the law enforcement team, resulting in the deaths of all five suspects. Authorities confirmed that three of the deceased were Mozambican nationals, while two were South Africans.

No officers were injured during the operation.

Ezemvelo chief executive Sihle Mkhize praised the operation and the cooperation between rangers and police.

“Our partnership with the South African Police Service continues to demonstrate that wildlife crime will not be tolerated in KwaZulu-Natal’s protected areas,” said Mkhize.

He added that although the loss of life was regrettable, the suspects were allegedly involved in illegal activities threatening wildlife, park staff, nearby communities and visitors.

Mkhize said Ezemvelo would continue working closely with law enforcement agencies to combat poaching and environmental crimes.

The organisation also revealed that only 13 rhinos have been poached in KwaZulu-Natal so far this year. This is a significant drop compared to the 139 rhinos lost by May 2024 and 33 by May 2025.

Ezemvelo said the decline reflects the impact of intensified anti-poaching operations aimed at protecting the province’s wildlife heritage.