LIMPOPO – The police have said they are winning the fight against illegal hunting of protected species following the recent arrests of two men in connection with separate incidents of alleged poaching in the province.
In the first incident a 21-year-old man was arrested in the Alldays policing area yesterday, after being found in possession of protected species (pangolin).
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It is alleged that the police were conducting the stop and search operations near the Speaker Park Phase 2 next to the local sports ground, when they stopped and searched a man carrying a ‘suspicious’ black and white bag.
During the search, the members discovered a live brown pangolin inside the bag. “The animal’s head had been bound with brick force,” he added.
The man was arrested on the spot and will appear before the local magistrate’s court soon.
Ngoepe said this followed the recent breakthrough where suspects were arrested in Tzaneen, Makhado ,Orichstad and Bela-Bela respectively for similar offences of illegal hunting of pangolins.
Meanwhile in the Gravelotte Policing area near Phalaborwa ,the police intercepted two suspects who were allegedly en route to go and kill rhinos.
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“One 375 rifle, a silencer,10 x .375 rounds and one panga were recovered on the scene.”
Two suspects were arrested and will appear before Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of for illegal possession of fire arm and ammunition.
Police investigations will continue for both cases.
The police urge the community to double their efforts in supporting the police on their endevour to fight this type these crime syndicates through the continuous supply of quality and reliable information. The public can report these matters to their nearest police station, to call the crime stop number 0860010111 or the crime line sms 32211.
