‘Nothing usual about rhino purchase’

Alex Eliseev | 8 Hour(s) Ago

Rhino breeder John Hume on Tuesday said there is nothing unusual about his choice to use controversial game farmer Dawie Groenewald to purchase rhinos worth millions of Rands.

Eyewitness News has learned Groenewald bought at least ten rhinos at an auction on Friday worth almost R2.5 million.

Last year, he was arrested with two vets and eight other suspects and charged with being the kingpin of a major poaching syndicate.

Hume said Groenewald was merely buying the rhino on his behalf and all the animals will be kept safe at his North West farm.

“All of those animals are coming here to Klerksdorp to our farms and they will never be hunted,” he said.

He added he has done deals with Groenewald in the past and he was too busy to attend all auctions.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust said it is concerned that Groenewald, who faces hundreds of charges, is allowed to take part in the rhino trade.

In July, he was embroiled in another scandal after it emerged he tried to buy nine rhinos worth R2 million.

(Edited by Tshepiso Moche)