Times Of Swaziland: HOW NOT TO SMUGGLE RHINO HORNS

HOW NOT TO SMUGGLE RHINO HORNS
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BY BONISILE MAKHUBU on 15/04/2017 10:02:00


MBABANE – The best of innovations was observed where four men were nabbed with
two rhino horns tied to a Mercedes Benz engine at Mahamba.
The incident that has created a buzz on social networks such as Tweeter and
Facebook happened on Wednesday and was aired by the South African Broadcasting
Corporation (SABC).
According to SABC Journalist Mweli Masilela, the four have already appeared
before a South African court.
Responding to questions posed to him on Tweeter, Masilela said the citizenships
of the quartet had not been established yet.
The four were arrested while driving in a Silver grey Mpumalanga-registered
Mercedes Benz.
Their strategy to hide the horns in the engine area of the car was described as
innovative by social media users.
Most of those who reacted to Masilela’s tweet condemned the act and said only
a death sentence could deter people from poaching rhinos.
These people made an example of countries like Kenya where they alleged that
rhino poachers were shot and killed.
However, on Facebook many users were sympathetic with the poachers saying they
were trying to earn an income.
“So long as they did not kill a human being I am okay. Bayatizamela nabo (they
are trying to make a living),” said one user.
Poachers
While some people thought it was a brilliant attempt for the poachers to hide
the horns in the bonnet, others said it was stupid because even human being
could smell the rhino horns from a distance.
“Rhino horns can be smelt by humans. The heat from the engine makes it even
worse,” one user posted on Facebook.
The men were caught by the South African Police Service K9 Unit (SAPS) together
with the defence force.
It could not be established though if they were crossing from an informal
crossing point or not, or even their destination as it was only said they were
caught at the Mahamba Port of entry.