Over 50 rhino horns stolen from parks board vault – here’s how

More than 50 rhino horns were allegedly stolen from a vault in the North West Parks Board’s Mafikeng Head Office.

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ALLEGED INSIDE HELP: MPS DEMAND POLYGRAPH TESTING FOR PARK STAFF

Democratic Alliance (DA) MPs, Dave Bryant and Hannah Shameema Walker, said the robbers allegedly used vault keys to access the 51 rhino horns, evading all security measures in place while doing so.

“After being called, SAPS allegedly took eight hours to arrive at the scene, delaying any immediate stop and search operations.

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“It has been repeatedly stated that there is no pilfering of rhino horn stockpiles, and this development has shown that this is certainly no longer the case. The DA understands that the Hawks are investigating the matter,” said the DA MPs.

The political party alleges the heist would have been impossible to pull off without inside help, and demanded that park staff undergo polygraph testing.

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DISABLED ALARM SYSTEM AND CAMERAS ENABLED UNHINDERED RHINO HORN THEFT

According to the statement, the alarm system at the office that housed the vault was disabled, and security cameras in the passage were removed, which allowed the thieves to steal the rhino horns unhindered.

“Shockingly, it took nearly eight hours for the South African Police Service (SAPS) to arrive at the scene, providing the criminals with ample time to escape.

“It is now essential that all efforts are made to intercept the stolen horn before it leaves SA shores and catch those responsible.”

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The DA urged the Minister of Forestry and Fisheries and Environmental Affairs (DFFE) Barbary Creecy to take action and be transparent about the operation to recover the horns and improve security systems in places where rhino horn stockpiles are stored.

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