Man tells court rhino horns are just wood

AN UMBILO man charged with the possession of rhino horns valued at R588 000 says, in his defence, that the horns are in fact made of wood and were bought in Johannesburg as artwork for his fiancée.

Thirty-eight-year-old John Peter Phiri was arrested at his flat after a search by Umbilo police at the weekend.

Prosecutor Thulani Mavundla told the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday, the police had acted on a tip-off and found about four rhino horns wrapped in a duvet in Phiri’s bedroom.

The State did not oppose bail because Phiri was not considered a flight risk and suggested an amount of R1 000. 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.

He also denied the authenticity of the horns saying they were bought for R3 500 at a market in Long Street, Johannesburg, earlier this month.

Authenticated

“The horns are made of wood and I bought it 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.

Self-employed as an auto electrician in Clairwood, he said he could afford R3 000 bail, which would be paid by his brother, Patrick. He assured the court he would not evade trial, interfere with the State’s investigation or its witnesses, and would not endanger the safety of the public.

He has no previous convictions or pending cases and said he was the sole breadwinner for his children.

Bail was fixed at R5 000 and the matter was adjourned until next month for further investigation.

Last month, Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha said, at a media briefing in Pretoria, that South Africa had an 88.8% rhino conviction rate from April last year to date. He also said the charges for those convicted included possession of rhino, dealing in rhino, illegal hunting, conspiracy, trespassing as well as the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

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.