Minister of Environmental Affairs welcomes the discovery and seizure of the rhino horn at OR Tambo International Airport
The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, has welcomed the recovery of more than 30 pieces of rhino horn at the OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, 9 January 2019.
“The discovery and seizure of the rhino horn estimated to be worth more than R23 million is a feather in the cap of enforcement agencies working to rid the airport, and our country, of wildlife-related crimes,” said the Minister.
The SA Police Service announced that the seizure was part of an ongoing operation into ridding the airport of criminal activities following the recent confiscation of rhino horn originating from Southern Africa in the Far East.
“The actions of the multi-disciplinary team, comprising members of the police, the Department of Environmental Affairs’ Environmental Management Inspectorate (Green Scorpions), customs and excise, K9 units and ACSA security are to be commended. Their successful efforts to rid our ports of entry and exit of particularly wildlife smuggling is an indication of the ongoing success of the Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros approach,” said Minister Mokonyane.
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