A 35-year-old suspect was on Friday 12 June 2020, arrested by the Police at Tom burke in the Lephalale Cluster after he was allegedly found in possession of a pangolin.
The police received information about a person selling a live pangolin in the Swarwater area. Members of the Endangered Species Unit of the South African Police Service were then activated and succeeded in apprehending the suspect and confiscating the pangolin after following up on the information provided.
The suspect, is expected to appear in Phalala magistrate court on Monday 15 June 2020, facing a charge of possession of an endangered species.
Meanwhile, one of the two accused who were arrested in Mokopane on 12 February 2020 after they were found selling a pangolin in Mokopane CBD, Emmanuel Mlampo aged 28, has been sentenced to six years imprisonment without the option of a fine on Thursday 11 June 2020. This after pleading guilty to the charge against him. The remaining accused, Ronald Nelushi aged 41 had his case transferred to Mahwelereng Regional Court for trial.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Limpopo, Major General Jan Scheepers has commended members of the Endangered Species Unit for the work they are doing and also thanked community members for providing valuable information to ensure that the culprits are brought to book.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
