‘Rhino horns’ made of wood – accused

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25 2016 AN UMBILOman charged with the possession of rhino horns valued at R588 000, says the horns are made of wood and were bought for R3 500 at a market in Joburg as a gift for his fiancée.

John Peter Phiri, 38, was arrested at his flat after a search by Umbilo police, and freed on R5 000 bail when he appeared at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The matter was adjourned until next month for further investigation.

Prosecutor Thulani Mavundla told the court police had acted on a tip-off and found four rhino horns in a duvet in Phiri’s bedroom.

According to his affidavit in support of bail, which was read to the court by his attorney, Nerissa Farrington, Phiri intended to plead not guilty.

“The horns are made of wood and I bought them for my fiancée as a gift and as an art form which was hung on the wall in our lounge area.

“The horns haven’t been authenticated as rhino horns and I submit that the value is incorrect,” said the father of two minor children.

Last month, Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha said, at a media briefing in Pretoria, that South Africa had an 88.8 percent rhino conviction rate from April last year to date.

Also at this media briefing was Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa, who said there had been inter-departmental collaboration to deal with the issue of rhino poaching and related offences. She said intensive training and awareness-raising was held last year for nearly 400 magistrates and prosecutors.

Last year, Molewa said 317 poachers had been arrested for rhino poaching-related offences.