Two in custody for purchasing cycads without a permit
Cycad plants are endangered species which requires a permit to buy, sell or plant. We urge the community to report the illegal selling, buying and planting of these plants to the police.
LIMPOPO – The intelligence driven operation conducted by the Hawks, Crime Intelligence Unit, Department of Environmental Affairs and Public Order Police yielded a good results this week.
According to a statement issued by Hawks Spokesperson, Captain Matimba Maluleke, two men, aged 45 and 53-years-old, were arrested in two separate incidents in Pretoria.
“The first suspect (53) was arrested on 13 December immediately after paying R3 000 to an undercover cop in order to purchase the cycad plants without a permit.”
“The suspect appeared in the Cullinan Magistrate Court yesterday (14 December) on a charge of dealing and possession of cycad plants (endangered species) without a permit. He was granted R3 000 bail and the case was postponed to 30 January,” said Maluleke.
Maluleke added that the second suspect (45) was arrested at his residence on 14 December for similar offences after paying R7 000 to the undercover cop to purchase these endangered species. During his arrest, it was discovered that he had planted other cycad plants without a permit. He will appear in the Pretoria Central Magistrate Court today (Thursday). No court outcome as yet.
Cycad plants are endangered species which requires a permit to buy, sell or plant. We urge the community to report the illegal selling, buying and planting of these plants to the police, concluded Maluleke.
