North West official out on bail for rhino horn theft

A North West Parks & Tourism resource security official, who was arrested for his alleged involvement in the theft of 51 rhino horns from the provincial parks board vault, has been granted bail by the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court.

Edwin Thapelo Rangaka (48) was released on R5,000 bail, and his matter was postponed to 24 July. He appeared briefly in court on Thursday (9/5) after he was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit the day before.

INSIDE JOB – SOUTH AFRICA’S HAWKS HAVE ARRESTED A NORTH WEST PARKS AND TOURISM BOARD OFFICIAL ALLEGEDLY LINKED TO THE THEFT OF 51 RHINO HORNS LAST YEAR. https://t.co/9Ytr2NNKAB pic.twitter.com/oEJVTsMtbZ

— Simon Bloch (@simonbloch1) May 8, 2024

Rangaka was arrested at his workplace following an intensive investigation that linked him to a business burglary on 26 June last year, when 51 rhino horns were allegedly stolen, said North West Hawks spokesperson, Tinyiko Mathebula.

His accomplices, Elias Mangande and Lefa Mankgaba, were arrested the following month. Mankgaba is out on bail, while Mangande remains in custody.

Edwin Thapelo Rangaka (48), a North West Parks & Tourism resource security official, appeared in the Mmbatho Magistrates Court this morning in connection with the heist of 51 rhino horns that were stolen from a security vault at the parks board’s Mafikeng headquarters last year. pic.twitter.com/C231FvkSE7

— Simon Bloch (@simonbloch1) May 9, 2024

DA MP Dave Bryant welcomed Rangaka’s arrest. He said the DA was the first to raise the matter publicly when the theft took place in June, and successfully requested that the MEC, the North West Parks Board, SAPS, and the Hawks appear before the committee of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment on two occasions.

“Had it not been for the publicity and the pressure exerted by the DA, this case would never have been given the same high level of priority and attention as it has duly received. The DA’s efforts have been vindicated and we commend the Hawks for their hard work leading up to this arrest,” he added.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg