Two suspects are scheduled to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, following their arrest on charges related to restricted activities involving protected wildlife.
The suspects were taken into custody on Saturday, 14 February 2026. They face charges of carrying out a restricted activity without a permit, which is a contravention of Section 57(1) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004. They are also charged with the possession of an endangered species.
All tortoise species are protected by provincial, national, and international legislation. It is unlawful to collect, possess, or transport them from the wild without the required authorization.
