SA considers legalising rhino horn-trade

August 11 2011 , 3:18:00

The SA Government is considering legalising trade in rhino horn, as a means of controlling the market and preventing the illegal killing of the animals.

The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, says as yet rhino horn-trade is not on the cards.

Responding to a Parliamentary question, she said a study was being conducted following a ministerial summit held in October last year. She says the result of the study will determine what steps must be taken to protect rhinos from being poached.

Meanwhile, the deployment of soldiers along KwaZulu-Natal's borders has helped bring down the number of rhino poaching incidents in the province.

Rhino Security Intervention Co-ordinator, Jabulani Ngubane says the presence of the soldiers has also led to the recovery of illegal drugs and stolen cars. Ngubane says the province has lost 19 rhinos between January and July.