AS members of an alleged rhino horns smuggling syndicate are expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court today, an animal rights group is set to protest outside the court.

Members of People for the Liberation of Animals (PLA) will gather and protest outside the court premises to highlight their grievances with regard to exploitation of animals.

The organisation wants to see harsh sentences imposed on people involved in rhino poaching.

“We want to see all members of the syndicate given harsh sentences and we want to see North West Province officials responsible for issuing rhino hunting permits to members of the syndicate arrested,” Melissa Weavind, the spokesman for PLA said.

Alleged kingpins of the syndicate and Thai nationals, Chumlong Lemtongthai and Punpitak Chunchom, are expected to appear in  court on numerous charges, including fraud and contravening the Customs and Exercise Act.

It is alleged Lemtongthai, 44, ran a syndicate that used prostitutes to smuggle rhino horns from South Africa to Asia.

The two were arrested in July and November last year, during an intelligence driven operation by the Hawks and the South African Revenue Service. They  have been in custody after they were denied bail.  – pulengm@citizen.co.za

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