Chinese national in court for rhino horn worth R6.6m

African News Agency (ANA)

Chinese national in court for rhino horn worth R6.6m
Rhino horns. Photo CICA.

A Chinese official is expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, for contravening the Endangered Species Act, after he was arrested on suspicion of dealing in rhino horns.

Ye Zhiwei, who was arrested on November 23, at OR Tambo International Airport with rhino horns worth an estimated value of R6.6 million, is expected to apply for bail.

Police said members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – Hawks – at the airport acted on a tip-off when they arrested the suspect.

“The 28-year-old male, who was in transit from Namibia, was about to board a South African Airways flight to Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon when he was stopped and searched,” police said on November 24.

“Upon the search, police recovered 18 rhino horns inside his luggage weighing 43kg with an estimated value of R6.6 million.”

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCEAfrican News Agency (ANA)