4 Suspects Arrested at Mahikeng Mall for Attempting to Sell Endangered Pangolins
Four suspects between the ages of 29 and 45 were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Mahikeng, North West on May 30, 2023.
The arrest was made after the suspects attempted to sell two Pangolins for R200,000.
Acting on intelligence information, the investigation team tracked down the suspects who were actively seeking a buyer for the endangered Pangolins.
The arrest took place at Mahikeng Mall, where the quartet was found in possession of the protected species.
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The suspects are scheduled to appear before the Mahikeng Magistrate’s Court on June 1, 2023. They will be charged with contravening the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004, which aims to safeguard South Africa’s biodiversity, including endangered species like the Pangolin.
The seized Pangolins have been transferred to a Wildlife Veterinary Hospital for proper care and support. These facilities specialize in providing essential assistance to wildlife, ensuring their well-being and, if possible, their eventual release back into their natural habitats.
#sapsHAWKS Members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation arrested four suspects aged between 29 and 45 in Mahikeng on 30 May 2023, following their attempt to sell two Pangolins for R200 000. MLhttps://t.co/B2GsFumaKA pic.twitter.com/TnTeXepucO
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 31, 2023
The illegal wildlife trade, especially involving endangered species like the Pangolin, poses a significant threat to biodiversity and ecological balance. – SAPOLICE
