Hawks bust rhino trafficking syndicate linked to 964 horns
The
Six suspects — five men aged 49 to 84 and a 60-year-old woman — handed themselves over to the Hawks' wildlife trafficking section in Sunnyside, Pretoria, on Tuesday. They appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on charges of fraud, theft, contravention of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act and possible racketeering and money laundering.
The investigation began in 2017 and uncovered a sophisticated scheme in which the suspects allegedly defrauded the department of forestry, fisheries and the environment to secure permits under false pretences, Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo said.
The permits were used to purchase and sell rhino horn domestically — while illegally funnelling them into Southeast Asian markets.
'The identified fraudulent permits scheme accounts for an estimated 964 rhino horns with an estimated value of millions of rands,' said Singo.
Under South African law, domestic trade in rhino horn is legal with valid permits, but international commercial trade is banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Singo said investigators uncovered how the department had been 'defrauded by a well-designed scheme' that allowed the syndicate to participate in international illegal markets.
Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister
'This complex investigation, which was also supported by the Green Scorpions and the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority], is a powerful demonstration of South Africa's resolve to protect its natural heritage,' he said.
'The illegal trade in rhino horn not only destroys biodiversity but also undermines the rule of law. Let there be no doubt: South Africa will bring the full force of its laws against those who plunder our wildlife. This arrest proves that syndicates cannot escape justice, no matter how complex their schemes.'
The minister said the Hawks' breakthrough was evidence of real progress in dismantling international networks responsible for driving rhino poaching.
'We will not rest until we have broken the back of the syndicates operating in our country,' George added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
39 minutes ago
- The Herald
Police probe murder of rugby player in Kariega
A 21-year-old club rugby player was shot dead in Kariega on Wednesday night. Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said a case of murder was under investigation. The body of Allezahr 'LangNaweek' de Bruin, who played for the Gardens Rugby Football Club as a lock, was discovered in an outbuilding on a property in Grootboom Street, Greenfields, Kariega, at about 8.25pm. He had several gunshot wounds to his head and upper body, Beetge said. 'The motive and identities of the suspects are being investigated.' He said the police were appealing to anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the investigating officer, detective Constable Adams on 071-475-2283 or Crime Stop on 08600-10111. Information can also be communicated via the MySAPS app. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence. The Herald
Mail & Guardian
an hour ago
- Mail & Guardian
Durban university denies student jumped to his death over funding
The Durban University of Technology (above) has rejected suggestions that one of its students committed suicide because he had not got financial support from the National Student Aid Scheme. The Durban University of Technology has rejected suggestions that one of its students committed suicide because he had not got financial support from the National Student Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Sphiwokuhle Madela, 27, who was in his third year of a BHSc in radiography, jumped to his death on Tuesday morning at the university's Steve Biko campus. According to student leader Naledi Mfeka, people who knew the student said that he had been stressed about his finances. 'Those who were close to him said he was worried that he would be forced to quit his studies because of funds. This was too hard for him to bear. He was afraid of disappointing his family. 'But we hope the investigation will be able to find out what went wrong,' she said. However, the university said in a statement that funding problems had nothing to do with Madela's death, saying he was dealing with personal matters. 'Mr Madela was fully funded by NSFAS, which was reflected in the last payment dated 4 August 2025. He was coded as both a returning student for both tuition and residence in 2025,' it said. In its response to a query from the Mail & Guardian, the student aid scheme said: 'NSFAS was honoured to fully fund this student's studies. 'We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and those affected by this tragic loss.' KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the incident was under investigation. 'Police in Berea have opened an inquest docket for investigation following an incident in which a 27-year-old student died in what is suspected to be a suicide at a university campus on Steve Biko Road Berea, Durban, on Tuesday morning,' he said. 'He sustained fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene. Circumstances that could have led to the incident are being investigated.' Some student leaders suggested NSFAS was to blame for Madela's death. 'NSFAS has created this problem where there are scores of students who are defunded. Over 2 000 students have been defunded — the most we have ever seen,' student leader Smilo Mhlungu said. 'The students have to vacate their residences and abruptly quit their studies. You can imagine what that does to a student psychologically.' The department of higher education said it would allow the Durban University of Technology to conduct its internal investigation before commenting on the tragedy. 'Once the full report is received, the minister will issue a more comprehensive statement,' spokesperson Matshepo Seedat said. The government-funded NSFAS has in the past been sharply criticised for problems in disbursing support for students. Earlier this year, thousands of students at technical, vocational and training colleges were left without accommodation after being evicted by angry landlords who had gone for months without being paid.
Mail & Guardian
an hour ago
- Mail & Guardian
Hlabisa vows to stop IFP members from abusing women in the party
IFP leader Velenkosi Hlabisa. (@GovernmentZA/X) Inkatha Freedom Party leader Velenkosini Hlabisa has accused some party members of impugning his character for his defence of women in the At the IFP's women's brigade celebration earlier this week, 'I want to make this clarion call to our mayors, deputy mayors and speakers who are males; several female employees are victims under your watch. I want [to say] it categorically, we are going to open a war against you,' he said. 'I know that I'm a target of character assassination now, but let it be; whatever you say about me will never stand, whatever you manufacture about me will never stand, but the one thing that I will stand for is to defend women's abuse by our male leaders.' In the past, some senior IFP leaders have been accused of rape, sexual harassment and demanding sex as a payment for giving women employment. Following a leaked audio in August 2023, the party had to suspend former Abaqulusi mayor The IFP also suspended a councillor at the Alfred Duma local municipality after a case of rape was opened against him for allegedly using month-to-month contracts to get sex from women desperate to keep their jobs. In 2021, an IFP councillor from KwaDukuza local municipality was accused of allegedly raping a 14-year-old, impregnating her and later bribing her with a house constructed under the RDP scheme for government-subsidized, affordable housing. In 2023, a woman wrote a letter to the KwaZulu-Natal department of social development saying: 'I find myself in a difficult position where I am forced to sleep with a mayor to keep my work.' Following these accusations, Hlabisa wrote an open letter reprimanding party members. On Tuesday, the IFP leader said the party would go to war against senior leaders who continued to abuse their positions of power against female staff members. He said to curb this, the IFP would next year have more women in executive positions such as mayors, deputy mayors and speakers. 'Let me first start by congratulating the women councillors who stood in their wards and won. As you can stand up to represent the IPF at a ward level, we need to ensure that more capacity is provided to you and you are deployed at key political positions so that you lead the societies,' he said. 'As we celebrate 50 years, I want to commit to you that I will run with the baton the late Prince Mangosuthu [Buthelezi] handed over to me to lead the IFP, building a stronger legacy in a new season of struggle for economic and social justice. 'In the conference in 2019, the late prince … said we should protect women and children. Against all odds and the new character assassination thrown at my doorstep, I will soldier on and become the champion of the IFP women's brigade by deploying them in key positions within the government.' Hlabisa added that the party would also use its position in the government of national unity to further the agenda of protecting women. 'Laws will be amended so that life imprisonment means exactly that — life in prison — for those convicted of rape, human trafficking, and crimes against children. No more loopholes, no more leniency,' he said.
