POLOKWANE – The mastermind behind a large-scale rhino horn trafficking enterprise has been sentenced to a fine of R2 million or four years imprisonment, along with a further 10 years suspended for five years, ending more than a decade of legal proceedings in what authorities describe as the world’s largest rhino horn trafficking investigation.

Dawie Groenewald and co-accused Tielman Erasmus entered into a plea agreement with the State during proceedings at the Polokwane High Court this week, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed.

Groenewald faced more than 1 700 charges including racketeering, money laundering, illegal hunting and dehorning of rhinoceroses. He was convicted on the main count of managing an enterprise in contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

The total fines imposed on Groenewald add up to more than R10 million and 36 years imprisonment across all offences. The sentences effectively restrict Groenewald for the next five years to act strictly in accordance with legislation relating to his rhino-related activities and other restricted wildlife activities, or face a lengthy prison sentence if he does not comply.

According to the indictment, Groenewald, in his capacity as manager of professional hunting outfitter “Out of Africa”, employed professional hunters and other individuals to manage the sourcing of rhino horns from his own rhinos and from other private rhino owners to fuel the black market in Southeast Asia.

The charges stem from a well-designed rhino horn trafficking enterprise emanating from incidents as far back as 2008. The case, which began in 2010, has been marred by numerous delays and court challenges.

ALSO READ: Rhino poaching doubles in South Africa’s Kruger Park

The police’s elite Hawks unit said 10 of the state’s 185 witnesses had passed away while the case was before the courts and some had emigrated. Two of the original 11 accused had since died.

In 2014 the US Justice Department accused Groenewald and his brother Janneman of selling American hunters illegal trips to hunt wild rhinos in South Africa under false pretences.

The State agreed to the plea arrangement after considering all options in the interest of justice. An important consideration was that no rhinos were poached by any of the accused, the NPA said.

The case against Karel Toet, his wife Marisa Toet and Koos Pronk was remanded to 20 August for the outcome of representations to the National Director of Public Prosecutions.

ALSO READ: Former owner of world’s largest rhino farm arrested in major trafficking bust

South Africa is home to most of the world’s rhinos and remains a hotspot for poaching driven by demand in Asia where the horns fetch high prices on the black market.

The number of white rhino in Africa had dropped to just over 15 750 by August 2025, according to the International Rhino Foundation. The numbers of critically endangered black rhino were recovering and stood at nearly 6 800 on the continent.

ALSO READ: Suspect arrested at Cape Town airport for alleged rhino horn trafficking