Rhino Horn Trafficking Case: John Hume Among Six Accused in R250m Syndicate

One of South Africa’s most recognisable conservation figures, John Hume, is facing the fight of his life. The 83-year-old, once hailed as the world’s largest private rhino breeder, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court this week alongside five others, accused of running a rhino horn smuggling operation worth an estimated R250 million.

A shocking twist in conservation circles

For decades, Hume positioned himself as a defender of rhinos, breeding them on his North West Province farm and lobbying for the legal trade of rhino horn as a way to fund conservation. Now, he and his co-accused Clive Melville, Izak Du Toit, Elizabeth van Niekerk, Mattheus Poggenpoel, and Johannes Hennop are facing 55 charges ranging from racketeering and fraud to money laundering and violations of environmental laws.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the accused allegedly obtained local permits for rhino horn trade but secretly intended to push the horns into lucrative black markets in Southeast Asia. Between 2017 and 2024, nearly 964 horns were allegedly laundered through this scheme.

Bail granted but questions linger

All six accused handed themselves over to police on 19 August 2025 after a lengthy investigation by the Hawks’ Wildlife Trafficking Unit. The State did not oppose bail, citing full cooperation and verified addresses.

• John Hume: R100,000

• Melville & van Niekerk: R10,000 each

• Du Toit, Poggenpoel & Hennop: R20,000 each

The NPA revealed that at least two of the accused already have prior convictions linked to rhino horn offences. Poggenpoel is also facing a separate upcoming case involving unlicensed ammunition and controlled substances.

The broader conservation context

This case cuts deep into South Africa’s conservation story. Rhino horn trafficking has devastated the country’s rhino population, with criminal syndicates exploiting both poverty and loopholes in permit systems. The alleged involvement of someone like Hume long viewed as a controversial but committed player in conservation has sparked outrage and confusion among conservationists.

On social media, reactions were swift. Some users condemned Hume as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” while others suggested his long-standing advocacy for legal horn trade blurred the lines between conservation and commerce.

The accused will return to court as the case unfolds, but conservationists say the scandal could reshape public trust in private rhino breeding programmes. With rhino poaching still rampant and global pressure mounting on wildlife trafficking networks, this trial may become a watershed moment in how South Africa polices its most iconic species.

{Source: IOL}

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