Endangered species suspects in court

Two suspects are expected to appear before the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court shortly on a charge of the illegal possession of an endangered species, a pangolin.

Members of the police’s Provincial Crime Intelligence and Endangered Species Units conducted a tactical operation in Mokopane in recent weeks.

The operation led to the arrest of the two suspects, aged 28 and 41, for the illegal possession of protected species.

Limpopo police spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, said that valuable information was received from members of the community about the suspects traveling in a white Mercedes Benz, carrying the pangolin.

He said members of the operation made a follow-up, and a vehicle matching the description given was spotted in the Mokopane CBD.

A pangolin was then found in the vehicle and suspects were immediately nabbed and the vehicle was also seized.

The suspects are expected to appear in court shortly on a charge of the illegal possession of an endangered species.

On Wednesday 5 February, an 80-year-old suspect named Something Sekgobela was arrested at Leboeng outside Burgesfort after he was found in possession of a leopard skin and four paws.

Mojapelo further said that an ongoing operation was conducted in the area, which ultimately led to the arrest of the suspect at his house.

He already appeared in court on Friday 7 February and was released on free bail.

The case was postponed to 7 April, pending further police investigations.

— The BEAT