Two traffickers of rhino horns have been sentenced by a South African court in what police described as the world's largest such case, partly concluding a nearly two-decade legal saga.
Sentencing Details
Dawie Groenewald and Tielman Erasmus faced more than 1,700 charges, including illegally hunting and dehorning rhinos, racketeering, and money laundering. Groenewald, identified by South African police as the mastermind, received a 2 million rand (£92,000) fine or four years' imprisonment after a plea deal. His co-accused was fined 100,000 rand or three years in prison, according to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks unit.
Rhino Conservation Context
South Africa is home to about a third of the world's critically endangered black rhino population and over 75% of southern white rhinos. The global white rhino population dropped by 10% to fewer than 16,000 in 2024. The country accounts for 81% of rhino poaching cases in Africa. Rhino horn, used in traditional Chinese medicine, has no proven health benefits but can fetch tens of thousands of dollars per tonne on the black market.
Case History
The investigation began in 2007, leading to 11 arrests in 2010, including professional hunters, veterinarians, a helicopter pilot, and workers. However, legal challenges caused over 15 years of delays. Two of the original accused and 10 state witnesses died during proceedings, while others emigrated. The case against three others—Karel Toet, Marisa Toet, and Koos Pronk—was postponed to August 20.
In 2014, the US Justice Department accused Groenewald and his brother Janneman of selling illegal rhino-hunting trips to Americans. Last year, rhino farmer John Hume was charged with five others for horn trafficking. Hume, who bred white rhinos and campaigned for legalized horn trading, sold his farm in 2023, citing financial difficulties.
