Messrs Daniël le Roux (41), Jacques Malan (55) and David Griesel (82), suspects in a rhino horn case, appeared in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 13 August.
Two of the suspects first appeared on 25 September last year on charges of illegally trading in rhino horns and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
The case was postponed to 3 October and the accused were in police custody.
Messrs Le Roux and Malan were remanded on bail of R30 000 each and the case was postponed to 29 November and their passports were seized.
The case was postponed to 21 January.
It follows an illegal rhino horn transaction that was successfully stopped in its tracks in Standerton on 20 September last year.
The Organised Crime Unit from the National Head Office, Pretoria Hawks, Benoni K9 Unit and nature conservation personnel arrested two suspects where the rhino horns were kept for safety purposes due to the high risk factors involved with selling the horns.
At the joint operation in town, one unlicensed firearm (38 Special) with five rounds, along with the horns were recovered.
The estimated value of the rhino horns is R7,6-million.
Owners of rhino horns may sell it in South Africa only if a necessary permit, approved by the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Barbara Creecy, can be shown.
The Constitutional Court overturned the government’s ban on selling horns from these endangered animals last year, much to the chagrin of animal preservation groups.
The ruling allows for legal domestic sales, while international sales are banned.
The horns are in high demand in countries such as China and Vietnam and mainly used for traditional Asian medicine.
Owners usually use a middleman or agent to facilitate the process of introducing buyers to the merchandise and buyers can inspect the horns, weigh it and ascertain the quality of the product.
Rhino horns furthermore should have a serial number, DNA tests should have been completed and a micro chip, put on after dehorning, should be present.
The next court appearance is scheduled for 7 October.
