Cape Town – A 52-year-old Vietnamese national, Bao Trung, briefly appeared in the Bellville Magistrate Court following his arrest in connection with an alleged rhino horn trafficking investigation.
According to police spokesperson Katlego Mogale, the arrest was carried out on 24 February 2026 when the suspect was about to leave South Africa for Singapore.
Mogale said the suspect’s passport was flagged, prompting the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation in the Western Cape to execute an existing warrant issued by the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court.
“The accused has been linked to a Kempton Park case of possession of rhino horns and predator bones which were discovered to have been from Haartebeesfontein in North West which is in contravention of the sections of the National Environmental Management and Biodiversity Act,” Mogale said.
The investigation is linked to the discovery of wildlife products following the arrest of two Nigerian nationals on 1 December 2025.
Authorities believe the rhino horns were connected to an alleged staged robbery reported on 8 December 2025 at Voi Farm in Hartbeesfontein, where 98 rhino horns were reportedly taken.
#sapsHAWKS [UPDATE] Vietnamese national appears in court in Cape Town for wildlife trafficking. 52yr-old Bao Trung, a Vietnamese national briefly appeared in the Bellville Magistrate Court, yesterday 25/02, wherein the case was postponed to 02/03 following his arrest on 24/02.… https://t.co/JcocjjhYK0 pic.twitter.com/qrADg2o8cj
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) February 26, 2026
Mogale explained that investigators later found that 17 of the recovered rhino horns were part of the 98 allegedly stolen horns.
“It was further established that the owner of the rhino horns was a Vietnamese national who was suspiciously not present at the time of the robbery.”
Vehicle linked to crime under investigation
During the probe, investigators traced a suspected vehicle used in the crime to Woodhill Golf Estate.
Search warrants were obtained and executed through a joint operation involving the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Wildlife Trafficking section, Tactical Operations Management Section, South African Police Service K9 unit in Pretoria, the Forensic Science Laboratories, and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
The operation resulted in the seizure of a Toyota Prado suspected of being used in the commission of the crime.
Mogale said the investigation remains ongoing.
“The accused is duly to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on the 2 March 2026.”
Trung is expected to return to court on 2 March 2026 for further proceedings as investigators continue to gather evidence in the wildlife trafficking case.
Wildlife trafficking remains a major concern in South Africa, which has been intensifying enforcement against rhino poaching and illegal horn trade networks.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
