Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
South African border agencies have arrested two Nigerians and recovered 17 rhino horns weighing 55.4kgs, lions claw and tiger bones weighing 26.2kgs that were being trafficked to the South East Asian market through that country.
The duo was arrested on Monday in Johannesburg during a multi-agency operation involving officials from the Border Management Authority (BMA), South African Revenue Service (SARS), Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) commonly known as the Hawks.
There is a notable increase in syndicates using Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa to traffic wild animals and their products prompting security authorities in these countries to collaborate on border enforcement measures.
In some instances, the rackets are moving live animals or their products including elephant tusks, rhino horns and abalone shell fish which are often intercepted at the borders of these countries.
On the Zimbabweans side the police have been intercepting mostly suspects with elephant tasks, pangolins and rhino horns.
In a statement South Africa’s spokesperson for the BMA, Assistant Commissioner Mmeme Mogotsi described the interception as a major breakthrough.
She said the operation was conducted on December 1 where the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) Wildlife Trafficking Section led the team with integrated support from the Border Management Authority, SOCI Vaal Rand, Counter-intelligence Head Office, SARS Customs, CAP Special Operations, Tracker Connect, the Gauteng SAPS Tactical Response Team, and the Gauteng SAPS Airwing.
“This intelligence-driven operation was launched after a suspicious consignment originally dispatched to Singapore, was identified and returned to its sender in South Africa,” said Asst Comm Mogotsi.
“Investigative teams traced the shipment to a storage facility in Kempton Park. Upon execution of the search, four boxes were identified and thoroughly examined.
“Inside the boxes, officials uncovered 17 rhino horns weighing 55.4 kilograms, along with 26.2 kilograms of lion and tiger bones, skulls and claws”.
She said the value of the items was yet to be ascertained due to ongoing forensic and valuation processes.
Asst Comm Mogotsi said the recovered horns and animal parts are believed to form part of a broader transnational trafficking network responsible for smuggling wildlife products from South Africa to foreign markets.
She said the Nigerian nationals, aged 34 and 35, who were identified as the receivers of the consignment had been arrested and taken into custody.
“They have appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on 3 December 2025 on charges relating to the contravention of Section 57(1) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004), which prohibits restricted activities involving listed threatened or protected species,” said Asst Comm Mogotsi.
“The multi-agency investigation remains active, and additional arrests have not been ruled out as authorities pursue all leads and deepen cooperation with both domestic and international partners.
“The Commissioner of the BMA, Dr Michael Masiapato has commended all agencies involved for their seamless coordination and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to combating wildlife trafficking, which threatens South Africa’s natural heritage and fuels organised criminal networks.
“This successful operation demonstrates the value of intelligence-sharing, inter-agency cooperation, and decisive enforcement action against syndicates targeting our endangered species”.
