Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa gazetted “draft regulations for the domestic trade in rhinoceros horn‚ or a part‚ product or derivative of rhinoceros horn” on Wednesday.
The regulations would appear to allow‚ albeit under strict conditions‚ for the trade in rhino horn products. The minister’s spokesman was not immediately available for comment on Thursday.
The public has been given 30 days to comments on the draft regulations.
Worryingly for those who are against the rhino horn trade‚ the regulations appear to indicate that trading of rhino horn will be permitted.
“The purpose of these regulations is to regulate the domestic selling or otherwise trading in‚ giving‚ donating‚ buying‚ receiving‚ accepting as a gift or donation‚ or in any way disposing or acquiring‚ rhinoceros horn within the borders of the republic‚ and the export of rhinoceros horn for personal purposes‚ from the republic‚” the draft document reads.
