The website of South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA) party on March 12 published a statement from MP Andrew de Blocq regarding the arrest of several individuals of Vietnamese nationality suspected of involvement in rhino horn trafficking.

"In February, a suspect named Huy Bao Tran, 52, appeared before the Bellville Magistrate’s Court after being arrested while attempting to leave South Africa in connection with the theft and illegal export of 98 rhino horns from the Voi Game Lodge reserve," the statement said.

Two Nigerian citizens, Tunji Olanrewaju Koyi, 35, and Koyode Adukunle Ongundele, 43, were also arrested for their alleged role in transporting the rhino horns.

In a related development, South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, also arrested Chu Dang Khoa, 44, also known as Michael Chu.

The Vietnamese national is believed to be the owner of the Voi Game Lodge wildlife reserve. In 2011, the suspect had previously been fined and deported from South Africa for illegally possessing rhino horns.

According to authorities, the Voi Game Lodge facility reported in early December last year that 98 rhino horns had been stolen during a robbery.

However, investigators believe the incident was staged as part of a smuggling operation. The horns were later discovered at Changi Airport in Singapore.

DNA tests confirmed that the shipment found at Changi was the same batch reported stolen from Voi Game Lodge, according to the DA statement.

South African authorities say wildlife trafficking is not only an environmental issue but also part of wider transnational criminal networks. These networks often overlap with drug and arms trafficking, contributing to corruption, weakening the rule of law and threatening both national security and the country’s natural heritage.

Viet Dung