Authorities seize R55 million in assets from suspected rhino poachers

Assets worth R55 million belonging to suspected rhino poachers were seized by the joint security forces in Polokwane, Limpopo, yesterday (May 9), according to a statement released by the South African Police Service.

Police spokesman, Colonel Vishnu Naidoo, said the assets were believed to have been acquired through criminal activities, particularly rhino poaching.

The assets belonged to Dawie Groenewald, a game farm owner and ex-safari operator, and two veterinary surgeons, Dr Karel Toet and Dr Manie Du Plessis.

In September 2010, the accused were officially charged with 1872 counts of racketeering, making it one of the biggest wildlife crime cases in South Africa.

“While this matter is still pending in court, the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act allows the Asset Forfeiture Unit to seize and preserve the assets of an accused until the case is finalised,” said Naidoo.

“On conviction of an accused, the seizure is realized and these proceeds are then used to continue with the combating of crime,” he said.

He said that since January, 99 people had been arrested for rhino-related matters countrywide.