Rhino Horn Kingpins Arrested

Statement by Andrew de Blocq MP – DA Spokesperson on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:

A slew of arrests of alleged high-profile wildlife traffickers must send shockwaves through criminal syndicates in South Africa.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes these recent arrests and prosecutions linked to rhino horn trafficking and theft, which demonstrate the growing effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts against wildlife crime in South Africa.

In February, 52-year-old Huy Bao Tran appeared in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court after being arrested while allegedly attempting to flee the country in connection with the theft and illegal export of 98 rhino horns in a staged robbery at Voi Game Lodge.

His case has been linked to that of two Nigerian nationals, Tunji Olanrewaju Koyi (35) and Koyode Adukunle Ongundele (43), also arrested in connection with the movement of the horns.

In a separate but related development, the Hawks also arrested 44-year-old Chu Dang Khoa, known as Michael Chu, a Vietnamese national who reportedly owns Voi Game Lodge and who in 2011 was fined and deported for the illegal possession of five rhino horns.

Chu appeared in the Kempton Park magistrates court today, with a bail application hearing scheduled soon for both men.

The state will likely oppose bail due to them being considered flight risks.

Two large interceptions of rhino horns at Changi Airport in Singapore are suspected to be the self-same horns purportedly stolen from Voi Game Lodge.

DNA evidence in this regard is expected to be presented as part of the case against the four men.

The DA commends the coordinated efforts of the Hawks, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority in pursuing these cases.

While rangers and field teams continue to risk their lives protecting rhinos on the ground, the fight against poaching will only be won when the criminal networks that finance and coordinate these crimes are dismantled.

Too often, enforcement efforts capture only the foot soldiers caught in the act of poaching.

These latest arrests send an important signal that authorities are increasingly targeting the organisers, financiers and traffickers who profit from wildlife crime.

Wildlife trafficking is not simply an environmental issue but is part of the wider web of organised transnational crime including drugs and arms that fuels corruption, undermines the rule of law and threatens South Africa’s security and natural heritage.

The DA also notes the growing international cooperation in addressing wildlife crime, including the commitments made through the G20 Cape Town Ministerial declarations on crimes that affect the environment.

These commitments recognise that the illegal wildlife trade is driven by global criminal networks and requires coordinated international action.

South Africa remains home to the world’s largest rhino population, and protecting these animals is both a national responsibility and a global obligation.

During the last two years under DA governance, rhino poaching has declined by 16% for two consecutive years, showing steady progress towards eradicating this heinous criminal enterprise.

The DA reiterates our commitment to strengthening the fight against wildlife crime.

This includes better intelligence operations, specialised environmental courts, stronger border enforcement and deeper cooperation with market countries where illegal wildlife products are traded.

Arrests such as these demonstrate that progress is possible.

The next step is ensuring successful prosecutions so that those who orchestrate wildlife crime face the full consequences of the law.

The DA will continue working to ensure that South Africa leads the global fight against rhino poaching and wildlife trafficking.