Swellendam – Three men aged between 35 and 45 have been arrested in the Western Cape for the illegal possession and sale of rhino horns.
The arrests followed a joint operation by the Hawks’ Bellville-based Economic Protected Resources (EPR) Unit, the SAPS K9 Unit in Overberg, and the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit based in Swellendam.
According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi, the arrests were made on Wednesday, 2 July 2025, during a sting operation conducted on the N2 highway near Buffeljags Rivier in Swellendam.
” It was reported that on Wednesday, 02 July 2025, the Hawks members conducted an operation where rhinoceros horns were allegedly purchased on the N2, Buffeljags Rivier, Swellendam.
#sapsHAWKS Western Cape: On Wednesday, 02/07, #Hawks members conducted an operation where #RhinoHorns were allegedly purchased on the N2, Buffeljags Rivier, Swellendam. This operation led to the arrest of one of the suspects. 2 Accomplices attempted to flee, but were pursued and… pic.twitter.com/c3cwZcMuMS
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 3, 2025
“This operation led to the arrest of one of the suspects. The other two attempted to flee but were pursued and apprehended. Three rhinoceros horns to the value of R258 270.00 were recovered,” Vukuba said.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Swellendam Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 4 July 2025, where they will face charges related to the unlawful possession and trading of protected wildlife species.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
