Various suspects arrested for possession of unlicensed firearms and protected species
Police in HOEDSPRUIT, PHALABORWA and TZANEEN have arrested a total of 12 suspects this week for either possessing an unlicensed firearm, or for possessing an endangered species.
In Hoedspruit, police have arrested four suspects aged between 25-43 for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The suspects were at Klaserie One Stop Shop, outside Hoedspruit, when police intercepted them, suspected to be en route to go hunting for protected species on a farm outside town.
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During this arrest, one .308 rifle along with six rounds of live ammunition, were recovered.
According to Lt. Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe, the suspects will soon appear before the Hoedspruit Magistrate Court.
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Meanwhile, in Lulekani, outside Phalaborwa, six suspects were arrested by the Provincial Endangered Species Unit (PESU) for possession of a protected species.
The PESU acted on a tip-off from members of the community, and in turn arrested one woman and five men aged between 29-52 for possession of two pangolins.
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The pangolins were recovered alive, locked up in a cage.
These suspects will soon appear before the Lulekani Magistrate Court.
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In Tzaneen, another two suspects were arrested for possession of a pangolin.
The arrests took place at Lifestyle Shopping Centre, where two suspects aged 25 and 35 years-old from Hazeview, Mpumalanga were arrested for possession of a pangolin.
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These arrests also occurred following a tip-off from members of the community.
The suspects will soon appear before the Tzaneen Magistrate Court.
In case you were wondering why so many people have been caught in possession of pangolins this year, it’s because it is supposedly believed by some in South Africa that the scales are able to ward off negative energy and evil spirits.
Voice of Limpopo Police Spokesperson, Lt. Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe.
