LIMPOPO – Three men have been sentenced to an effective five years in prison, each, by the Lenyenye Regional for posession of a Pangolin, which is classified as protected species.
Police spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe reports that on 18 August 2016, police received information about three suspects that were in possession of a Pangolin, driving a Toyota Hilux bakkie along the Oaks road. They intended to sell the animal in the Sekororo Village.
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“The rhino task team acted swiftly, spotted the vehicle heading to the direction of Sekororo village, stopped the vehicle and searched it. During the search, police found a 25 Litre bucket with a live Pangolin inside,” Ngoepe explained.
Shadrack Malatji (62), Israel Mametja (37) and France Shai (36) were immediately arrested and the animal was taken back to a nature reserve.
“Prior to their sentencing, the suspects were out on R3000 bail each,” Ngoepe’s statement concluded.
