Three suspects aged between 22 and 35 are expected to appear before the Brits Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 14 September 2020, for contravention of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (NEMBA) (Act No. 10 of 2004).
The suspects’ court appearance emanates from their apprehension at about 12:30 on Friday, 11 September 2020, at a filling station near Alpha Crossing in Brits, for possession of a pangolin. That was after a possible pangolin sale tip-off was received from a member of a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) responsible for combatting illegal trade of wildlife and endangered species.
As a result, a multi-disciplinary team comprising of members of Jericho Stock Theft Unit, Bojanala Sub-District 1 Trio Crimes Task Team, Crime Intelligence and officials from Nature Conservation acted swiftly and intercepted the trio driving in a white Volkswagen Jetta. The suspects were arrested after failing to account for the possession. Investigation into the matter continues.