PRETORIA – A Vietnamese national who owns a game lodge linked to a major rhino horn trafficking case appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate Court on Wednesday, facing charges related to wildlife trafficking after suspected illegal elephant ivory worth R200 000 was seized during his arrest.
Chu Dang Khoa, known as Michael Chu (44), was arrested in Heidelberg on 11 March during an intelligence-driven operation. He faces charges of contravening the National Environmental Management and Biodiversity Act and is alleged to have been involved in the staged theft of rhino horns at Haartebeesfontein.
Chu reportedly owns Voi Game Lodge and was previously fined and deported in 2011 for the illegal possession of five rhino horns.
The arrest followed operations conducted by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation’s Wildlife Trafficking Section, assisted by the Tactical Operations Management Section, Pretoria K9, SAPS Head Office’s Modus Operandi Centre and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment. Officers executed authorised search and seizure warrants in both Centurion and Heidelberg, with the ivory discovered during the Centurion search.
A bail application hearing is scheduled soon. The state is expected to oppose bail due to the accused being considered a flight risk.
Related arrests
Chu’s case is linked to several other arrests in connection with rhino horn trafficking. In February, Vietnamese national Huy Bao Tran (52) appeared in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court after being arrested while allegedly attempting to flee the country in connection with the theft and illegal export of 98 rhino horns in a staged robbery at Voi Game Lodge.
Tran’s case has been linked to two Nigerian nationals, Tunji Olanrewaju Koyi (35) and Koyode Adukunle Ongundele (43), also arrested in connection with the movement of the horns.
Two large interceptions of rhino horns at Changi Airport in Singapore are suspected to be the same horns purportedly stolen from Voi Game Lodge. DNA evidence is expected to be presented as part of the case against the four men.
Political response
The Democratic Alliance welcomed the recent arrests and prosecutions, saying they demonstrate the growing effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts against wildlife crime.
The party said the arrests must send shockwaves through criminal syndicates in South Africa, noting that enforcement efforts too often capture only the foot soldiers caught in the act of poaching rather than the organisers and financiers.
The DA said wildlife trafficking is part of a wider web of organised transnational crime including drugs and arms that fuels corruption and threatens South Africa’s security and natural heritage.
The party noted that rhino poaching has declined by 16% for two consecutive years under DA governance.
Acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Patrick Mbotho, said the DPCI remains committed to combating wildlife trafficking and related serious organised crime.
The investigation is ongoing.
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