South Africa: Suspected rhino poachers shot

Five suspected poachers have been shot dead in South Africa's biggest game park in the last four days in a crackdown on criminal gangs smuggling rhino horn to east Asia.

Over the last year more than 330 rhinos were shot in parks across the country for their horns, which are sold on the black market for medicine and aphrodisiacs in countries such as China and Vietnam.

McIntosh Polela, a spokesman for the Hawks elite police unit, said: "The syndicates are very organised and use high-tech equipment and helicopters. It is difficult to catch the masterminds. We have only been able to get to the guys on the ground."

Seven people are due to appear in court later this week.

South Africa is home to 90 per cent of Africa's white rhinos.