A coordinated sting operation on July 2 led to the arrest of three individuals in Swellendam for the illegal possession and attempted sale of rhino horns without the necessary permits.
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The suspects, aged between 35 and 45, were apprehended by the Hawks’ Bellville-based Economic Protected Resources (EPR) Unit in collaboration with the SAPS K9 Unit Overberg and Swellendam’s Stock Theft and Endangered Species team.
According to a police statement, the Hawks members conducted the operation along the N2, Buffeljags Rivier, where rhino horns were allegedly being sold.
“This operation led to the arrest of one of the suspects. The other two attempted to flee but were pursued and apprehended. Three rhinoceros horns to the value of R258 270.00 were recovered,” the statement read.
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The suspects are expected to appear in the Swellendam Magistrates’ Court on Friday, July 4, as reported by News62.
While rhino poaching figures in South Africa saw a welcome decline in 2024—420 rhinos were killed, marking a drop of more than 15% compared to 2023—conservationists and authorities remain alert.
The trade in rhino horn is largely driven by organised criminal syndicates that operate across borders. These networks coordinate everything from the poaching of rhinos in protected areas to the trafficking and international sale of horns.
Efforts to dismantle these networks require not only local enforcement, as seen in this case, but also broader international cooperation and intelligence-sharing.
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