Rhino horn, with a street value of approximately R2.4 million, was confiscated from two men aged 31 and 72 in the North West Province on Thursday, June 24.
The two suspects were under surveillance by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit for dealing in rhino horn.
They were arrested in Vryburg during an undercover operation set up to buy and bust them.
They allegedly attempted to sell the rhino horn to the officers. When the suspects’ vehicle was searched, police uncovered two horns worth approximately R2.4 million. One horn weighed 4.6kgs and the other 1.9kgs.
“Both Rhino horns were seized for further investigation. Meanwhile, the suspects will make their first appearance before the Vryburg Magistrate’s court on Monday, 28 June 2021,” said SAPS.
In the last decade, more than 7,100 African rhinos have been killed for their horn. That equates to two rhino deaths every day. Poachers use sophisticated means to track and kill these harmless animals – including helicopters, high calibre guns and chainsaws. Once the rhino is tranquilised, their horns are quickly removed using any possible method including chainsawing it off their faces. The rhino is left to die a painful death because they are still alive when their horns are removed.
The demand for rhino horn comes mainly from Asia – where they believe that ground rhino horn can cure just about any ailment, including cancer and impotence. The horn is also a symbol of great wealth in Vietnam.
In actual fact, rhino horn is made up of keratin – which is the exact same protein from which our nails and hairs are made up of.
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