South Africa’s elite anti-corruption unit has arrested a Vietnamese national allegedly linked to one of the country’s most significant wildlife trafficking investigations, stopping him just moments before he boarded an international flight, as per Daily Maverick reports.
Image used for illustrative purposes/Niu Niu/Unsplash
The 54-year-old suspect was arrested at Cape Town International Airport on Tuesday, 24 February, as he attempted to fly to Singapore with his family. The arrest follows months of investigation into an international syndicate dealing in rhino horn and big-cat body parts.
Links to seized rhino horns and predator bones
The arrest warrant was issued after investigators linked the suspect to a December operation in which two Nigerian nationals were found in possession of 17 rhino horns and more than 26kg of lion and tiger bones at a storage facility in Kempton Park.
The case drew international attention late last year when Singaporean authorities intercepted multiple illegal wildlife shipments originating in South Africa. In November, officials at Singapore Changi Airport seized two consignments containing rhino horns, predator skulls and carcasses concealed as commercial cargo.
According to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale, forensic investigations later matched the 17 rhino horns recovered in Kempton Park to a far larger cache of horns that had been reported stolen during what authorities now believe was a staged armed robbery at a North West game lodge.
ALSO READ:
Suspected staged robbery under scrutiny
The alleged robbery took place at Voi Game Lodge near Hartebeesfontein, where 98 rhino horns were reported stolen. Investigators noted that the Vietnamese national linked to the horns was not present at the property at the time of the incident.
A white Toyota Prado, suspected to have been used during the incident, was later traced to Woodhill Golf Estate in Pretoria. The vehicle was seized and examined for forensic evidence.
DNA samples taken from both the vehicle and the seized rhino horns were submitted to the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at the University of Pretoria. Results are expected to be presented when the accused returns to court next week.
Court appearances and co-accused
The suspect made his first appearance in the Bellville Regional Court on Wednesday, 25 February, before the matter was transferred to the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court. He remains in custody and will appear alongside two co-accused already facing charges related to the possession of rhino horns and predator bones without permits.
The earlier arrests stemmed from a controlled delivery operation coordinated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, SARS and the Border Management Authority, after Singaporean officials flagged a suspicious shipment destined for Southeast Asia.
A broader trafficking network
One of the intercepted consignments, labelled as furniture fittings, contained 20 rhino horns and roughly 150kg of predator parts, including teeth and claws. The cargo was bound for Vientiane, Laos, a known hub for illegal wildlife trade along the Mekong River.
Investigators believe some of the animal remains were removed from South Africa shortly before the alleged robbery at Voi Game Lodge was reported.
The arrested suspect is linked to the South African operations of a Vietnamese-owned trading company with interests in game farming and furniture export. He has previously been associated with controversial attempts to export live rhinos to Vietnam, permit applications that were ultimately refused by South African environmental authorities.
Ongoing concerns around rhino stockpiles
Wildlife crime experts say the case once again highlights long-standing concerns around the security and oversight of private rhino horn stockpiles.
Former Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit head Lieutenant Colonel Steve Roets has previously warned that many reported rhino horn thefts are staged incidents, pointing to inadequate storage practices and inconsistent audits by conservation authorities.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities indicating that further arrests are possible as the international supply chain continues to be mapped.
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
ALSO READ:
UK visas go fully digital: What South African travellers need to know
