Rhino horns enroute to China seized at OR Tambo Airport

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Police officers at the OR Tambo International airport intercepted pieces of 10kg of rhino horns at the cargo shipment warehouse area. 

The men and women in blue were conducting their daily routine operations when they inspected a warehouse and discovered a suspicious artistic sculpture, Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed.

She also said they scanned it, upon further inspection and grinding of the sculpture, discovered four pieces of rhino horn. 

“No arrests have been made and Investigations are underway on the origins of the rhino horn and the verification of the destined address in China as stipulated on the shipping label,” Mathe added. 

Meanwhile, police are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder following the fatally shooting of a 45-year-old victim whilst traveling on R30 Road on Wednesday.

According to North West police spokesperson, Lt Col Thabo Covane, the deceased and the 39-year-old male who survived the hail of bullets were traveling to Klerksdorp on a Silver Toyota Corolla when they were allegedly attacked by five assailants.

He continued; “Operation Vala Umgodi Combat operators followed up information that led to the arrest of the first suspect Hart Court in Stilfontein.

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“During the search the team found a 7.65 Browning and 42 live rounds of ammunition.

“The search was extended to the parking area and a 9mm Norinco pistol with 14 live rounds of ammunition inside a White Ford Ranger.”

Covane stated that both firearms serial numbers were filed off and suspects will appear in court soon.