The founder of Platinum Rhino Conservation, John Hume and five co-accused are facing serious charges for allegedly running an international rhino horn trafficking syndicate that smuggled rhino horns from South Africa to lucrative markets in Asia.
The accused appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday following their arrest by the Hawks during a long-running investigation.
55 Charges Including Racketeering and Money Laundering
The group faces 55 charges in total, including racketeering, fraud, theft, and money laundering. The co-accused are:
- Clive Melville (63)
- Attorney Izak Du Toit (50)
- Elizabeth van Niekerk, director of a non-profit organisation
- Mattheus Poggenpoel (37), an insurance broker
- Johannes Hennop (52), game reserve manager
Bail was set at R20,000 each for Du Toit, Poggenpoel, and Hennop, while Melville and Van Niekerk were each granted R10,000 bail.
Hawks Investigation Dates Back to 2017
The Hawks have been investigating the alleged rhino horn trafficking network since 2017.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the accused allegedly obtained permits to trade rhino horn locally but intended to divert the horns into illegal international markets in Southeast Asia.
964 Rhino Horns Worth R250 Million
The scheme is estimated to involve 964 rhino horns with a combined value of R250 million. The matter has been postponed to December for further investigations.
