Rhino dehorning case postponed

2010-10-28 19:38

Polokwane - A case against two men, facing charges related to the illegal dehorning of rhinos, was postponed in the Musina Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

"They appeared and the case was postponed to January 28 for further investigation," said Limpopo police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ronel Otto.

Jan Karel Pieter Els, 37, and Tom Fourie, 51, were arrested a few weeks ago and are out on bail.

Els allegedly bought 36 horns from Fourie, who allegedly dehorned the rhinos.

More than 20 people have been arrested countrywide in separate cases involving rhino poaching since September.

At least 210 rhinos have been killed for their horns since the beginning of this year - up from a total of 122 poached last year.

Black market demand for rhino horns has risen sharply as economic growth has spread through Asia, where the horn is believed to have medicinal properties.

- SAPA