A 52-year-old man is scheduled to appear in the Bellville Magistrates Court this morning following his arrest yesterday for his alleged involvement in a wildlife crime case originating in Kempton Park.
The suspect was apprehended on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, at Cape Town International Airport as he was preparing to board a flight to Singapore with his family. The arrest was carried out by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in the Western Cape acting on an authorized warrant.
The warrant was issued by the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court in connection with a case dating back to 1 December 2025. On that date, two Nigerian nationals were arrested in Kempton Park for being in possession of rhino horns and predator bones.
Investigation into that incident revealed that the contraband originated from Haartebeesfontein in the North West province. The possession of the items is considered a contravention of sections of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA).
Authorities confirmed that the 52-year-old suspect has now been linked to the December case. He will face charges related to the illegal possession of the wildlife products when he appears in court this morning.