File pic of rhino
A Parliamentary Committee has received a briefing on the theft of rhino horns worth an estimated R9 million from the premises of the North West Parks and Tourism Board.
This followed a break-in at the Tourism Board’s premises on 26 June where 51 rhino horns were stolen from a stockpile.
Parliament’s portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment received presentations on Wednesday from the North West Parks and Tourism Board, the SAPS, and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation on the progress of the investigation.
North West Hawks Major-General Patrick Mboto told the Committee that theft was reported by a security officer who was patrolling at North West Parks Board’s Cook Lake premises on 26 June 2023 at around 5 pm.
He said the horns were stolen from a safe, and have not been recovered despite the arrests of the suspects.
They face charges that include housebreaking and theft, the illegal dealing in rhino horns, the possession of stolen property, the illegal possession of firearms as well as money laundering, corruption, and racketeering.
General Mboto said new charges may be added as the investigation unfolds.
He said the four would be back in court on 14 August after two were granted bail during an earlier court appearance, while the other two remain in custody.
The Committee was also informed of two attempts to break in at the premises in 2014 and 2018 to access the rhino horn stockpile.
