Former rhino conservationist among six accused in horn trafficking
The group, accused of betraying conservation efforts by exploiting permits to trade horns illegally, were granted bail under strict conditions in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
Six accused, including the founder of a rhino conservation enterprise, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court in connection with an international rhino horn trafficking syndicate, reportedly worth R250-million.
They were all granted bail and are expected to return to court on December 9.
The group is facing 55 charges, which include multiple counts of racketeering, fraud, contravention of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), involving 964 rhino horns, contravention of the Riotous Assemblies Act, theft, and money laundering.
The accused are:
– John Frederick Hume (83), the founder and former owner of the Platinum Rhino Conservation Enterprise.
– Clive John Mervan Melville (63), a transport maintenance manager.
– Izak Hermanus du Toit (50), a practising attorney.
– Elizabeth Catharina van Niekerk (58), a director of a non-profit organisation.
– Mattheus Hendrikus Wessels Poggenpoel (37), an insurance broker and part-time farmer.
– Johannes Abraham Hennop (52), a game reserve manager.
Bail was set at R100 000 for Hume, R10 000 each for Melville and Van Niekerk, and R20 000 each for Du Toit, Poggenpoel, and Hennop.
National Prosecuting Authority’s spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said it is alleged that between 2017 and 2024, the accused operated an international rhino horn trafficking syndicate and defrauded the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE).
“They allegedly obtained permits to trade rhino horn locally, while intending to channel the horns into illegal international markets in South-east Asia.”
Mahanjana stated that the fraudulent scheme is estimated to have involved 964 rhino horns, valued at R250-million.
“After intensive investigations by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (DPCI) Wildlife Trafficking Section of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, based at national headquarters, the six handed themselves over at the Pretoria Central Police Station on August 19, where they were formally arrested.”
She explained that during bail proceedings, they all asked to be released on bail because they are not flight risks, and had co-operated with the police investigation.
She continued that two of the accused, Melville and Poggenpoel, had stated in affidavits that they had previous convictions for fraud and possession of rhino horn, with both paying fines.
Poggenpoel also disclosed that he has a case against him pending in the Winburg Magistrate’s court in the Free State, because police allegedly found ammunition that was not properly secured, and for which he did not have a permit. Scheduled medicine was also apparently found during this visit.
According to Mahanjana, Advocate Patsy Jacobs read an affidavit by investigating officer Edward du Plessis, saying that the State did not oppose bail as the accused are not flight risks, their addresses had been confirmed, and they had co-operated with investigators.
The court granted bail to the six with the following conditions:
– All accused must hand over their passports and may not apply for new travel documents while the matter is pending.
– They must report to their nearest police station once a week.
– They may not interfere with investigations, tamper with evidence or influence witnesses.
– They must not commit any further offences while on bail.
ALSO READ: Six alleged international rhino horn traffickers to appear in Pretoria court
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