Forensic investigators unearthed the rhino skins and feet on Friday, when they swooped on the Steenbokpan farm of wealthy Lephalale businessman Tony Freitas.
The raid came just two days after Freitas was granted R250,000 bail in the Lephalale Magistrate's Court. Freitas, 55, is alleged to have bought, transported and killed at least seven pachyderms at his "rhino slaughterhouse" without permits.
He was arrested on January 27 by officers of the Limpopo Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit after they found eight rhino feet and meat in a cold-room. Seven rhino tails and two skins were in the salt-room.
Eyewitnesses said the rhino horns were loaded onto a red helicopter. Police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo called Friday's operation a "vital breakthrough" for the probe into Freitas's activities.
A front-end loader excavated the soil until the skins, bones and 20 rhino feet were exposed. Metal detectors picked bullet fragments from the carcasses. Freitas returns to court on March 2.
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