Mokonyane applauds recovery of rhino horns
The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Nomvula Mokonyane, has welcomed the recovery of 30 pieces of rhino horn with an estimated value of R23 million at OR Tambo International Airport.
Customs officials seized the horns at the airport's cargo area on Thursday.
The horns were discovered by the police's K9 unit in the airport's cargo area in a consignment carrying doormats and laminated plywood.
The department says the rhino horn discovery and seizure is a result of joint efforts by enforcement agencies who have been working hard to rid the airport and country of wildlife-related crimes.
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Mokonyane has commended the work done by the multi-disciplinary team made up of the police, the Department of Environmental Affairs management inspectorate and other agencies.
The department's Albi Modise says this big bust follows the recent confiscation of rhino horn originating from Southern Africa in the Far East.