R2m worth of rhino horns found in minibus on the N4 close to eMalahleni

A man caught with rhino horns in his possession is expected to appear before Middelburg Court tomorrow.

The 42-year-old man allegedly had rhino horns to the value of R2m in his minibus when he was caught at 02:00 on October 20. He will appear in court on October 21.

He was caught when members of Middleburg K9 were conducting their normal patrol duties and stopped the vehicle close to Middelburg Toll Plaza. 

Instead of passengers, the police found a black plastic bag with two rhino horns concealed in the bonnet.

“The driver failed to explain about the masked rhino horns in the plastic bag,” said provincial spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.

The suspect was arrested and charged with possession of rhinoceros horns. 

Police can not rule out the possibility of adding other charges of contravening the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela said that poachers are endangering and causing the extinction of the keystone species which has a detrimental effect on the animal ecosystem in the country.

According to Reuters, South Africa is home to nearly 80% of the world’s rhinos. Currently, less than 30,000 African rhinos are remaining.

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