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The leading environmentalist in South Africa, who is accused of smuggling rhino on a rhino -dollar rhino (£ 10 million), insisted that we “do nothing”.
In his statement, John Yum, a former owner of what is considered to be the largest rhino by the farm, denied allegations that he had sent horns from South Africa to South -East Asia.
83-year-old Mr. Yum and five others, including a lawyer and leader of the game, appeared in court on 55 charges, including theft, money laundering and fraud.
The prosecutor’s office stated that the group was allegedly part of the International Syndicate Rhinovy Trade.
Mr. Yum and his compatriots are accused of smuggling more than 960 horns, having received permits for sale at the local level, when the real intention was to export horns to Southeast Asia, where they are used in traditional medicine.
The sale of rhino horns is legal between citizens in South Africa, but their export is not allowed.
On Tuesday, the accused appeared in the Magistrate’s court in Pretoria and received a guarantor. They did not request – this is not required in South Africa during the initial appearance in court.
Mr. Yum, however, announced his innocence in the statement.
“I have nothing to hide and fully cooperate with investigators,” he said.
“I strongly dismiss the allegations against me and claim that I have never acted illegally. I am sure that if the facts are checked in court, I will be justified and my innocence confirmed.”
Former Mr. Yuma farm, a platinum rhino, lived about 2000 white rhinos.
He sold the farm in 2023, saying that he could no longer continue to support the rhinos, which he bred for more than two decades.
Mr. Yum was born in Zimbabwe and grew up on a sheep farm. He earned a living, developing at the festive resorts before turning his hand to preserve in the 1990s.
