Rhino trafficking syndicate: John Hume (83) among 6 in court
Hume, the former founder and owner of Platinum Rhino Conservation Enterprise, appeared in the same court today, alongside transport maintenance manager Clive John Mervan Melville (63), attorney Izak du Toit (50), NPO director Catharina van Niekerk (58), insurance broker and part-time farmer Mattheus Poggenpoel (37) and game reserve manager Abraham Hennop (52).
According to a statement by National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, their court appearance stems from their alleged involvement in a rhino trafficking syndicate.
They face 55 charges that include counts of racketeering, fraud, theft and money laundering, as well as the contravention of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 and the Riotous Assemblies Act 17 of 1956.
'It is alleged that between 2017 and 2024, the accused operated an international rhino horn trafficking syndicate and defrauded the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. They allegedly obtained permits to trade rhino horn locally, while intending to channel the horns into illegal international markets in Southeast Asia. The fraudulent scheme is estimated to involve 964 rhino horns valued at R250m,' reads the statement by Mahanjana.
The investigation by the Hawks' Wildlife Trafficking Section of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit is said to have led to the accused handing themselves over at the Pretoria Central Police Station earlier today.
According to Mahanjana, Melville disclosed in his affidavit that he has a 2019 conviction for fraud and being in possession of and transporting rhino horns. He was sentenced to pay a fine.
'Accused no 5, Poggenpoel, disclosed to the court that he has [a] 2009 conviction [for the] possession of a rhino horn, where he paid an admission of guilt fee of R2 500,' Mahanjana added. She said his affidavit revealed he has a pending case in the Winburg Magistrate's Court on September 17.
The case is reportedly due to an investigation team finding ammunition that was allegedly not locked away in a safe, as well as the alleged possession of scheduled medicine without a permit.
Hume was granted bail of R100 000, Melville and Van Niekerk were each granted R10 000 bail, while Hermanus, Du Toit, Poggenpoel and Hennop were each granted R2 000 bail.
State Advocate Patsy Jacobs read into the record an affidavit by investigating officer Edward du Plessis that stated the accused were not flight risks, their addresses had been verified, and they had co-operated with investigators. The state therefore did not oppose bail, but requested bail conditions, which were granted:
All accused had to surrender their passports and may not apply for new travel documents while the matter is pending
They must report to their nearest police station once a week
They may not interfere with investigations, tamper with evidence or influence witnesses
They must not commit any offences while on bail.
According to the website of Buffalo Dream Ranch (BDR), Hume is a former holiday resort developer who turned his focus to rhino conservation in the early 1990s and went on to establish BDR in the North West in 2009. The facility grew into the world's largest private rhino breeding project, with over 1 600 rhinos under its care, more than 1 000 of which were bred on the ranch.
The website explains that BDR was originally named to conceal its main purpose – breeding rhinos – from poachers.
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