Fifth suspect detained in South Africa in case involving 98 rhino horns — Daily Maverick
In Klerksdorp, South Africa, Vietnamese national Nguyen Huu Dong was detained. Investigators link him to the suspected staging of an armed robbery at Voi Game Lodge and the possible illegal sale of 98 rhino horns. As Daily Maverick reports, the detention took place on September 22, 2026, World Rhino Day.
Dong, 30, also known as Daniel, was the manager of Voi Game Lodge. On September 23, he appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court for the first time. The court remanded him in custody until September 28, when it is due to consider a bail application. Dong faces charges of attempted robbery, defeating the ends of justice and making false statements. According to a senior Hawks official, additional charges may be brought later.
Investigators’ version
According to the Hawks, on December 8, 2025, Dong told police that armed attackers had broken into the complex in Hartebeesfontein, tied him up and stole 98 rhino horns, 50,000 rand in cash and two mobile phones. However, investigators believe that the robbery report was staged to conceal the illegal sale of the horns on the black market.
The investigation links the case to two shipments intercepted at Singapore’s Changi Airport before the report of the alleged attack. On November 8, 2025, authorities seized 20 rhino horns and 150 kilograms of what investigators believed to be tiger carcasses and lion bones. Three weeks later, another 17 horns and 26 kilograms of predator bones and skulls were found. The cargo was travelling from South Africa to Vientiane, Laos.
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The second shipment was secretly returned to the senders in Johannesburg as part of a controlled operation. After that, the Hawks and the South African Border Management Authority detained two Nigerian nationals — Tunji Olanrewaju Koyi and Koyode Adakunle Ongundele. The seized horns and bones were analysed and entered as evidence.
Procedural status
Dong is to formally join four other people in the case as the fifth accused on September 28. Two Nigerians were detained earlier, as were two Vietnamese nationals — Huy Bao Tran, known as Ben Tran, and Chu Dang Khoa, known as Michael Chu. The latter two are on bail of 200,000 rand each. According to the publication, Dong is Khoa’s cousin, whom investigators consider to be the leader of a transnational wildlife trafficking network.
In November 2019, Dong had already been detained during a Hawks raid at Voi Game Lodge. At the time, police reported the seizure of 100 rhino horns, four frozen tiger carcasses, tiger skins, illegally kept and unregistered firearms, ammunition and cash. Dong and another Vietnamese national were charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as violating biodiversity legislation.
