“This complex investigation, which was also supported by the Department’s Enforcement Unit (the Green Scorpions) and the National Prosecuting Authority, is a powerful demonstration of South Africa’s resolve to protect its natural heritage,” Dr George said. “The Hawks’ work shows that our enforcement agencies will not hesitate to pursue those who plunder our wildlife for criminal profit.”

The arrests followed a seven-year investigation by the Wildlife Trafficking Section of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, which uncovered a fraudulent scheme involving 964 rhino horns worth millions of rand. The horns were destined for illegal markets in Southeast Asia.

Investigators allege that the syndicate secured Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) permits under false pretences, allowing them to buy and sell rhino horn domestically while illegally channelling the horns abroad.

Domestic trade in rhino horn is permitted with valid DFFE-issued permits under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) of 2004. However, international commercial trade remains banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The six suspects, five men and one woman aged between 49 and 84, face charges of fraud, theft and contravention of NEMBA, with further charges of racketeering and money laundering under consideration. They surrendered at Sunnyside Police Station and appeared before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on 19 August 2025.

Dr George underscored that the government would not relent in its crackdown on syndicates exploiting South Africa’s wildlife.

“The illegal trade in rhino horn not only destroys biodiversity but also undermines the rule of law and the foundations of environmental governance,” he said. “Let there be no doubt: South Africa will bring the full force of its laws against those who plunder our wildlife. This arrest proves that syndicates cannot escape justice, no matter how complex their schemes.”

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The research, co-led by the University of Cape Town (UCT), focused on 11 reserves in South Africa’s Greater Kruger region from 2017 to 2023 – a critical conservation area that is home to approximately 25% of Africa’s remaining rhino population.

The study was the result of a powerful collaboration between reserve managers, represented by the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation (GKEPF), and scientists from UCT’s Centre for Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, Nelson Mandela University, Stellenbosch University and the University of Oxford. Key partners who supported the study include the South African National Parks, the World Wildlife Fund South Africa and the Rhino Recovery Fund.

“We documented the poaching of 1 985 rhinos (about 6.5% of the population annually) across 11 Greater Kruger reserves over seven years. This landscape is a critical global stronghold that conserves around 25% of all Africa’s rhinos,” said Dr Tim Kuiper, lead author, who conducted the work as a postdoctoral researcher at UCT and is now a senior lecturer at Nelson Mandela University.

“Dehorning rhinos to reduce incentives for poaching (2 284 rhinos were dehorned across eight reserves) was found to achieve a 78% reduction in poaching using just 1.2% of the overall rhino protection budget,” added Dr Kuiper 

Using a comparative approach between dehorned and horned rhino populations and tracking changes over time, the study shows that dehorning is a highly cost-effective intervention – though not without challenges. Some poaching for horn stumps and regrowth continued, and evidence from 2024–2025 indicates this remains a growing concern. The potential displacement of poaching to horned populations elsewhere also remains a critical consideration.

Between 2017 and 2021, the reserves invested approximately $74 million (R1 billion) in anti-poaching strategies – including ranger patrols, tracking dogs, helicopters and surveillance technology. Despite this massive investment, the study found no statistically significant evidence that these traditional law enforcement measures alone reduced poaching.

“Finally, ineffective criminal justice systems mean that arrested offenders often escape punishment, with evidence from our study area of multiple repeat offenders,” said Dr Kuiper.

This study stands out not only for its findings but also for its model of science-policy collaboration. The research was sparked by GKEPF reserve managers themselves, who sought to evaluate the effectiveness of their anti-poaching investments.

“The true value of this innovative study, conceived by GKEPF operational managers, lies in its collective critical thinking. Ensuring not only that operations are guided by science, but also that science is grounded in real experience from the frontline,”
said Sharon Hausmann, CEO of GKEPF.

Dr Markus Hofmeyr of the Rhino Recovery Fund said: “From a donor perspective this study has given excellent insight where conservation donor funding can be spent and where to avoid funding.”

“This collaboration is a brilliant example of how the effectiveness of conservation interventions can be assessed quantitatively, even in challenging and complex situations, and how important the participation of on-the-ground practitioners is in initiating, and interpreting, such research,” said Professor Dame E.J. Milner-Gulland of the University of Oxford.

“It’s important to check that our conservation interventions work as intended, and keep working that way. For me, this project has again highlighted the value of collecting detailed data, both on the interventions that were applied and the outcome. It’s such data that makes robust quantitative analyses possible,” said UCT Professor Res Altwegg, who supervised the statistical analysis.

The findings open a timely window for governments, funders, conservation NGOs and the private sector to rethink and recalibrate strategies in addressing wildlife crime, particularly rhino poaching, with a renewed focus on data-driven and cost-effective interventions.

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KNP dog handlers stationed at the park’s Kruger and Phabeni gates, tasked as part of what SANParks said was “a special operation” in January 2020 flagged a suspicious vehicle on a gravel road linking Skukuza and Pretoriuskop. The driver ignored the stop request with Kruger personnel in a short-lived chase. Two passengers exited and fled leaving the driver to face the music. A hunting rifle was found in the vehicle with the driver protesting innocence of any crime and claiming he was hijacked.

Support in the form of Kruger rangers, the park’s environmental investigation unit and protection services as well as police were summoned with a SANParks statement making no mention of the passengers. Ammunition, probably for the rifle, was found along with two knives.

On 10 April, the Skukuza Regional Court found the erstwhile driver, one Elias Sithole, guilty on six charges – possession of an unlicensed firearm; conspiracy to commit a crime; and possession of firearm with serial number removed, with intent to commit a crime as well as possession of unlicensed ammunition and knives (dangerous weapons). He was sentenced to an effective 11 years behind bars.

Sithole’s 11 year sentence pales into insignificance when taken alongside the 110 years handed down to Zimbabwean Thomas Chauke, also known as Sazu Nkambuya in the Makhanda High Court.

The 54-year-old was found guilty on six rhino poaching and wildlife related crimes and three counts of escaping from custody, SAnews reported.

His appearance and sentencing in the Eastern Cape province high court ended an extensive investigation involving SA Police Service (SAPS) head office detectives and the Stock Theft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit. In addition to the wildlife crimes in the the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and North West provinces Chauke was linked to armed robbery, rape and kidnapping cases.

He pleaded guilty to all the charges and was sentenced to 110 years behind bar.

Chauke’s sentencing was called “a landmark judgement” by Dion George, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, who wants stricter bail conditions set for foreigner, such as Chauke, arrested for wildlife crimes.

His department is reportedly working with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and SAPS through platforms like the National Biodiversity Investigators Forum (NBIF) to enhance opposition to bail, particularly for repeat offenders and foreign nationals with no fixed address.

“The discussions focus on improving the quality of affidavits drafted by investigating officers to present stronger cases in court. The department is sharing best practice affidavits with investigators to ensure more effective bail opposition and is exploring options to secure funding for dedicated support to SAPS in these applications,” a Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) statement has it.

The upcoming Environmental Management Inspectors (EMI) executive training will see the NPA address bail-related issues, allowing for direct engagement with the Minister and other stakeholders.

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Addressing the United for Wildflife Global Summit 2024 in Cape Town on Monday, the Minister said the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) plays an indispensable role in shaping South Africa’s future within the borders and in the increasingly complex global geopolitical landscape.

“However, despite local and international efforts to address environmental crime at the highest levels of government, it is essential that we now refocus our efforts towards action.

“Representatives from the police, customs, prosecuting authorities, financial intelligence units, and environmental and wildlife investigative agencies all hold crucial roles, and your collaboration is essential.

“We all recognise this global scourge that can only be overcome through a focused and integrated international effort,” the Minister said.

South Africa’s wildlife, plant life and marine life is a target for illicit activities.

“Our lions, rhinoceros, pangolin, succulent plants, abalone, and our fish stock, to name only a few, are significantly at risk and we must respond.

“These crimes… have a devastating impact on our country’s moral fabric (where the poaching culture consumes communities) on our existing and potential eco-tourism industry, and on our good standing in the international community as custodians of irreplaceable natural heritage,” George said.

He emphasised that South Africa remains resolutely focused on implementing the National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking.

This strategy aims to establish a well-resourced, integrated, multidisciplinary law enforcement approach to dismantle the illicit value chain of wildlife trafficking within our country and beyond.

“We recognise that achieving this objective requires the unwavering commitment of our entire government to enhance law enforcement capabilities and to mobilise societal support.

“As part of implementing the strategy, South Africa actively participated in both informal and formal negotiations leading up to the recent United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, Conference of Parties.

“We supported the resolution sponsored by Brazil, France, and Peru, which aims to enhance measures to prevent and combat crimes affecting the environment. This important document recognises that environmental crimes has evolved into a major form of transnational organised crime,” the Minister said.

South Africa remains committed to implementing the key proposals outlined in the resolution.

“We must confront the stark reality that these crimes are not isolated to a series of arbitrary incidents, and that they have developed into highly sophisticated, greed-driven enterprises orchestrated by international criminal syndicates.

“They exploit our natural heritage for financial gain and cause immeasurable harm to the environment while undermining our conservation efforts. These environmental crimes threaten to ravage the world’s natural resources, impose immense financial burdens, and lead to the widespread loss of economic and development opportunities.

“While we are keenly aware of the threat this poses to security and the rule of law, we must also remain cognisant of the complex issues of poverty and the lack of alternative livelihoods that contribute to the rise of such illicit activities,” the Minister said.

South Africa has also actively participated in WIRE meetings since 2016, which have been instrumental in overcoming obstacles related to information sharing and cooperation in investigations.

“This has provided an invaluable platform that enables the international community to strategies, overcome obstacles, ensure meaningful cooperation, and respond swiftly when necessary, despite the bureaucratic processes inherent in any government.

“Collaborating with international counterparts is crucial for tackling wildlife crime, especially since the illicit market is primarily in Southeast Asia. It is essential that we reinforce our working relationship with law enforcement agencies in these countries,” the Minister said.

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The collaborative effort involved the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT), Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), SA National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and South African National Parks (SANParks).  Wildlife crime experts, government officials and conservation sector representatives met at Environment House in Arcadia, Pretoria.

Snaring, according to a SANParks statement, is motivated by “complex socio-economic and cultural drivers” with the symposium exploring snaring from a “myriad of angles and viewpoints”. Information gleaned at the symposium highlighted that animals are largely snared for personal or commercial use, and it is occurring “at unsustainable rates across all provinces and in diverse landscapes”. Species such as leopard, lion, hyena and other predators are killed as by-catch in snares originally set for bushmeat.

A “key takeaway” from the gathering is the need for less of a fortress mentality and a move to more community and sustainable use interaction among stakeholders to positive outcomes for the snaring threat. No solution will be credible without relevant community voices involved in “co-development of solutions”.

“Solutions need to be diverse, purposely inclusive and tailored to, and by, people living in affected areas,” read a statement regarding the symposium’s outcomes.

Among decisions adopted are further research on the drivers and alternative livelihood solutions, more cohesive legislation to address snaring and other wildlife crimes, more centralised reporting and monitoring to ascertain the extent of the problem, as well as creating a greater understanding of the impact of snaring not only on biodiversity as well as on the economy and well-being of communities.

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Illegal harvesting of marine resources threatens the economy, and contributes to the commission of serious crime. Continued efforts by members attached to the Provincial Tactical Response Team (TRT) ensured the apprehension of three suspects, a 53-year-old Chinese national and two Zimbabwean nationals aged, 28 and 31 years old, in what is believed to be one of the biggest abalone busts in this province in recent years, police said.

On Sunday, 15 September 2024 at approximately 17:00, members of the TRT acted on information about an abalone storage facility which led to an address situated in the industrial area of Rylands near Philippi.  Upon arrival at the address, officers saw a suspect who guarded the entrance gate, the suspect attempted to flee when he noticed the officers approaching. The suspect was arrested, and confirmed to be a Chinese national, and officers discovered a massive storage building which was converted into an abalone processing facility. Officers also apprehended two Zimbabwean nationals who were found inside the facility, busy processing a substantial quantity of wet and dry abalone.

Further inspection of the premises led to the discovery and confiscation of 11 485 wet and 15 200 dry abalone as well as equipment with a total estimated value of R10.3 million.

The three suspects are scheduled to appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ court on Tuesday, 17 September 2024 for the illegal possession of abalone.

Simultaneously, another TRT platoon deployed in Nyanga seized a VW Caddy and 2505 units of abalone which were found abandoned as the suspect fled the scene and is yet to be arrested.

Provincial police management lauded the members for their vigilance and commitment to eradicate the depletion of marine living resources.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) can alleviate this burden. By processing massive amounts of data quickly, it can map the movements of offenders and illicit goods, identify patterns in criminal behaviour and activities, and make focused connections.

AI has been recognised globally for its potential to save police hours of search and analysis work. In April, Britain’s government outlined how £230 million would be spent on AI technology to help the police save 38 million hours of police time. The European Union is implementing a project that uses AI to provide comprehensive intelligence to detect organised crime.

Policing organised environmental crime in particular is expensive, laborious and complex. These crimes often occur in remote, hard-to-access areas, involve different networks of actors, and cut across jurisdictions. Despite their significant costs to the environment, economy and society, environmental crimes tend to be a lower priority for law enforcement.

Research by the ENACT organised crime project at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) shows how AI can do some of the resource-heavy and complex aspects of investigating environmental crime in Africa.

TrailGuard AI is a system of cameras that enables national park officials to detect, stop and arrest poachers before they kill wildlife. The tiny cameras are easily camouflaged, and placed along trails where local intelligence has identified a threat. AI models filter out 99% of false positive images, saving battery life in remote places.

Eric Dinerstein, Director of Nightjar at the non-profit organisation RESOLVE, which helped develop TrailGuard, told ISS Today that with good cell transmission, an image triggered by wildlife or poachers can reach a cellphone within around 30 seconds. This enables the appropriate authorities (e.g. park rangers or police) to mount a real-time response. The system also works with other anti-poaching interventions, such as sniffer dogs.

TrailGuard technology was first deployed at Tanzania’s Singita Grumeti Reserve in 2018. It enabled the arrest of 30 poachers and the seizure of almost 600 kg of illegal bushmeat during a test phase in East Africa.

Operation Pangolin was launched in 2023 as a collaboration between universities, conservation initiatives and Gabon’s National Agency for National Parks. It collects and processes data from existing trail cameras, using AI to recognise pangolins from camera traps and thermal cameras. The imagery is used with Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool data from ranger patrols to build predictive models for pangolin poaching. The project’s long-term aim is to develop separate AI models that help predict trafficking routes and markets.

The project currently operates in Gabon and Cameroon and works closely with Nigerian stakeholders. Its team is exploring ways to build local capacity so that the data, technologies, and tools continue to be used and offer value beyond the project scope. Team member Bistra Dilkina told ISS Today that the ‘AI tool is an empty shell without local data. We need local champions embedded in the project.’

Skylight is a marine data platform that applies AI-powered pattern recognition, computer vision and machine learning to satellite data. Skylight uses ship movement identification and analysis from subject matter experts and rapidly applies it globally to detect illegal fishing across the oceans.

It alerts coastguards and other maritime enforcement agencies to suspicious vessel patterns and locations, allowing them to assess potential non-compliant or illegal activity and distinguish it from ‘normal’ behaviour. Madagascar, Kenya, Gabon, and nations around the Gulf of Guinea are among the 70 countries that use the platform. Officials use their knowledge of national laws and their institutions’ priorities, mandates and resources, to determine how to respond.

The data is received quickly enough that law enforcement can act fast, enabling timely intervention if necessary. According to Ted Schmitt, Senior Director of Conservation and Programme Manager for Skylight, coastguards had used their data to board vessels and uncover illegal fishing activity.

Digital Earth Africa (DEA) takes vast raw geospatial satellite data from across Africa and translates it into analysis-ready information. Observing changes in land use over time from satellite imagery provides insights into illegal mining activities. For instance, surface-level activities such as creating artificial ponds, clearing vegetation and building access roads may indicate unlawful mining.

Localised, real-time data on illicit mining can help make the deployment of limited resources more cost-efficient and effective. Ghana’s government has partnered with DEA to identify the location of illegal mining activities outside of mining concessions.

There are also challenges and risks to harnessing AI for law enforcement in Africa. These include limitations in the availability and volume of local data and inadequate basic communication and digital infrastructure. A lack of technical skills and resources to respond to environmental crime even when identified, is also a problem, as is limited investment in research and development. There are also concerns about reactive regulatory systems and data privacy, unauthorised surveillance of civilians, and criminal threats.

But AI is here to stay and is advancing quickly. By engaging with AI’s potential, policymakers across Africa could make a real difference in the fight against organised and complex crimes.

This requires a dedicated investment in building the capacity to gather large, local and relevant data sets. Budgets will also need to be allocated to digital and communication infrastructure, and generating the human capacity and skills for AI development and implementation.

With the African Union’s AI White Paper and Roadmap as a guide, African countries should draft and enact legislation on AI to ensure its use is regulated. Meanwhile, public-private partnerships can be leveraged to implement existing, proven AI interventions that can generate powerful crime-fighting tools.

Written by Romi Sigsworth, Research Consultant, ENACT, ISS.

Republished with permission from ISS Africa. The original article can be found here.

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