Six members of an alleged international rhino horn trafficking syndicate were arrested in Pretoria on Tuesday, 19 August.
The suspects, aged between 49 and 84, handed themselves over to the Hawks’ investigative team following a lengthy probe.
The investigation, led by members of the Hawks’ Wildlife Trafficking Section under the Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, began in 2017.
FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT DEFRAUDED
According to police, the inquiry uncovered links between transnational rhino horn trafficking and alleged fraud against the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). The suspects had reportedly applied for permits to trade rhino horn locally. However, they were allegedly destined for illegal international markets in Southeast Asia.
“The identified fraudulent permit scheme accounts for an estimated 964 rhino horns with a value of millions of rands. Further investigation revealed that the DFFE was allegedly defrauded through a well-designed scheme to traffic rhino horns and participate in the international illegal trade,” the report stated.
The suspects face charges of fraud, theft, contravening the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) of 2004, and possible racketeering and money laundering.
The DFFE is authorised to issue permits for South African citizens to buy and sell rhino horn domestically. However, international trade remains banned, and horns cannot legally be exported or sold to non-South African citizens.
ANTI-POACHING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
The arrests come shortly after a researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand launched an anti-poaching campaign. It will see rhino horns being injected with a radioactive material.
The university says the project aims to disrupt the illegal rhino horn trade. These materials can be detected by radiation detection equipment at countries’ borders around the world.
DO YOU THINK ENOUGH IS BEING DONE TO STOP RHINO HORN POACHING?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11.
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