Cape Town – A 42-year-old man, who was arrested with rhino horns valued at about R2 million, is expected to appear at the Middleburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, October 21.
The taxi driver was arrested by members of the Middelburg K9 Unit at around 02:00 on Thursday, police said.
The rhino horns were found in a black plastic bag in the taxi driven by the suspect.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the suspect driving a White Toyota Quantum with Mpumalanga registration plates was stopped by the Middleburg K9 Unit while they were conducting routine patrol duties.
Police said the driver was alone in the taxi when the black plastic bag was found with two rhino horns hidden in the bonnet.
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The suspect was arrested after he failed to explain where he had gotten the rhino horns.
“The suspect was arrested and charged for possession of rhinoceros horns. Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding another charge of contravening the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act,” said Mohlala.
Police Commissioner in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela welcomed the arrest and the recovery of the rhino horns.
“Poachers are endangering and causing the extinction of the keystone species which has a detrimental effect on the animals’ ecosystem in the country,” said Manamela.
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Picture: saps.gov.za
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
