SA welcomes arrest of Rhino-horn syndicate in Prague

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa, has welcomed the arrest of 16 members of a rhino horn smuggling syndicate in Prague in the Czech Republic.

In a statement today, Molewa said the arrests confirm that the killing of South Africa's rhino for their precious horns is linked to international crime syndicates.

Her spokesperson, Albie Modise, says the battle against rhino poaching requires international collaboration.

"The arrest confirms what we have been saying all along, it shows that this is not an isolated case it links the broader international wild life trade that all partnerships and avenues need to be afloat to flush out this illegal activity"

Modise told Algoa FM News on Friday that the syndicate members were found with rhino horn believed to have been poached in South Africa.

"The allegations that the individuals are linked to poaching activities in South Africa. We would like police to get to the bottom of it. We will support the Czech police to say that we are with them in stamping out the illegal trade in Rhino horns" he said