Four suspects made an appearance before the Brits Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 7 July 2023, for possession of endangered species (pangolins).
The suspects’ court appearance emanated from their arrest during a Crime Intelligence driven operation on Tuesday afternoon, 4 July 2023.
According to information received, Brits Trio Task Team members operationalised information received about four men who were seen selling two dead pangolins.
The police reacted swiftly and the four suspects, found in possession of pangolins, were cornered in the vicinity of Wagpos in Brits.
The pangolins were found inside plastic bags and the suspects were all arrested.
They were charged with possession of endangered species which is in contravention of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, (NEMBA), 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004).
The four; Morewell Mpofu (34), Simon Gwenzi (26), Phineas Mchuma (46) and Taurai Zhou (35) were remanded in custody for further investigation.
They are expected to appear again before the same court on Friday, 14 July 2023.
Investigation into the matter continues.
