CAPE TOWN: Rhino horn worth R3 million has been confiscated at the OR Tambo International Airport, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) said here the other day.
The two horns, weighing more than 10kg, were seized at the airport on Wednesday, said SA Revenue Services spokesperson, Sandile Memela.
“Customs officials found the horn in a shipment of taxidermy that had been profiled for examination at a well-known cargo forwarding company. The company was unable to provide the required export documentation upon request,” said Memela. The company contacted the owner of the shipment and requested that the export documentation be sent to them, but had not received a response in 24 hours.
As a result, said Memela, they could not establish where the horns were destined.
The horns have since been handed to the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries for further investigation.