NW Hawks arrest eight suspects for illegal possession of lion bones, meat and tiger skin

The NW Hawks assisted by crime intelligence, Klerksdorp tactical response team, Potchefstroom flying squad and the Department of Nature Conservation has led to the arrest of eight suspects for the alleged illegal possession of game products on Sunday.

According to the NW Hawks spokesperson, Capt. Tlangelani Rikhotso, the two South Africans and six foreign nationals aged between 22 and 60 are expected to make their first court appearance at the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s court, today (Tuesday).

‘They are facing charges of Illegal possession of game products and without a permit, carrying out restricted activities involving a specimen of a listed, threatened or protected species,’ she said.

Rikhotso says the suspects were arrested after the Hawks and the rest of the team intercepted two vehicles at the intersection of N12 and Dominionville driving in a convoy headed to an unused farm in Mareetsane. ‘A search of both vehicles led to the discovery of lion bones, lion meat, a tiger skin, gas cylinders, gas burners, containers, a saw, knives and other equipment which is believed to have been used for cutting up the lion,’ she said.

‘The suspects took the team to another farm approximately 30km from Klerksdorp where the lions were allegedly slaughtered. At the farm, a lion skin was found dumped in the bush and large machines which are believed to have been the instruments for cutting the bones were also found in the garage,’ reported Rikhotso.