RHINO HORN SUSPECTS BUST OVER THE WEEKEND

RHINO HORN SUSPECTS BUST OVER THE WEEKEND

Mpumalanga MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Sikhumbuzo Eric Kholwane has congratulated the Hawks for arresting two (2) suspected thieves of the rhino horns stock pile at the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) offices in Mbombela last month.

“We congratulate the Mpumalanga Organized Crime Unit of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, better known as the Hawks, for the arrest of the two suspects over the weekend. The law must now take its course. Well done to the Hawks,” said MEC Kholwane.

The suspects have appeared at the Nelspruit Regional Court today, Monday 09 June 2014 on charges of housebreaking and theft. They have been remanded in custody until next week.

This follows the break-in into the offices of the MTPA in Mattafin, Mbombela, in the early hours of Saturday, 19 April 2014, during which the suspects allegedly stole a stockpile of 122 rhino horns estimated to be worth millions of Rands.

Meanwhile South Africans are urged to report incidents of rhino poaching to the toll-free number 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or to the crime line on 32211.