The Minister of State Security David Mahlobo on Monday denied any involvement in rhino poaching and described the Al Jazeera’s documentary, in which a Chinese national implicates him as “extremely reckless and mischievous”.

In a strongly worded statement, issued on his behalf by the Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS), Mahlobo said he has “noted with grave concern and disappointment the unfounded and slanderous allegations made against him”.

The documentary titled ‘Al Jazeera Investigates: The Poachers Pipeline’ which was aired on on Sunday, links the state security minister to the illegal rhino horn trade.

“The basis of this ‘linkage’ was said to be Mahlobo’s visits to the local Mbombela Spa owned by a self-confessed criminal Guan Jiang Guang,” said the GCIS in the statement attributed to Brian Fikani Dube, the head of communication.

In the documentary the Chinese national claims the state security minister is his acquaintance, whom he has pictures with. Guang also claims Mahlobo visited his Spa.

However, in the statement Dube did not deny that the minister visited the Spa, but he said: “At the time Minister Mahlobo visited the Spa he had no idea as to what Mr. Guang was involved in”.

The statement added: “The Minister refutes these ludicrous allegations with all the contempt that they deserve and reserves his rights in respect of those making such false claims.

“Additionally, he strongly rebukes Al Jazeera and other local publications and broadcasters that reported on the story in the sensation seeking, unprofessional and reckless manner.”

Dube said the photo that appeared in the documentary and in the Sunday papers “is a photo taken when the Minister was being treated at a manicure table and Guang requested a photo to be taken. This is clear from the photo itself”.

Guang, who claimed Mahlobo was his friend, said the minister sometimes visited his house.

However, the GCIS statement refutes the claims saying: “Minister Mahlobo is not a friend of Mr. Guang and has never visited him at his residence”.

It added: “The flimsy and vague allegation made in the programme by Mr. Nigel Morgan that his company’s contract was terminated by Kruger National Parks as a result of possible interference by Minister Mahlobo is rejected and will be dealt with in the appropriate forum”.

Mahlobo said: “It is extremely reckless and mischievous for an internationally renowned broadcaster like Al Jazeera to be broadcasting such misleading content despite our response”.

The minister complained that “they are basically linking the fact that I used to visit a Spa in Mpumalanga solely for the services that they render, to the illegal poaching of rhino horns by its owner – which I have also just been made aware of now through the aired broadcast.”

He said a “number of my comrades, friends and high profile personalities visit the Mbombela spa, take photos with Guang’s family and some of his staff.

“Are these individuals now also involved on the illegal rhino trade? People drop names of high profile individuals and take photos-does this mean friendship or connection? I don’t think so.”

Mahlobo said the accusations were tantamount to defamation and he “was appalled” at being linked to any activity and its syndicates and or individuals that are seeking to further deplete the country’s endangered rhino population.

“I am not a friend of the guy, nor have I been ever to his home or have received any of his employees into my home. Finally my wife has no business relationship with the man or his employees,” said Mahlobo.

He said as a result of the accusations he had requested the Mpumalanga Police Commissioner to immediately investigate all allegations made against him in the documentary.

Mahlobo also requested the Commissioner to “take action against Guan for illegal rhino poaching activity”. He also wants claims by Guan that he employs illegal immigrants and circumvents immigration laws to be probed.