South Africa will not propose ending the ban on the international rhino horn trade at the next major meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the body that regulates the worldwide wildlife trade.

Jeff Radebe, the minister of planning, monitoring and evaluation, said the government has accepted a recommendation from the Committee of Inquiry, which was appointed to study and advise on the issue, to keep things as they are.

"The committee recommends that the current mode of keeping the country’s stock levels be kept as opposed to the trading in rhino horns," a statement on last week's cabinet meeting says.

South Africa will, however, continue stockpiling rhino horn.

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