Two suspected poachers – aged 62 and 54 – were apprehended in Zeerust for possession of a lion’s head on December 10; a direct violation of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 (NEMBA).
Mahikeng’s Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team paired up with the Leruhutshe K9 unit, as well as the Zeerust Stock Theft Unit and members of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the environment to follow up on intel during a sting operation, which led to the arrest.
Preliminary investigation results suggest that the suspects were travelling from Johannesburg in search of a traditional healer to sell the lion’s head to for R350 000. The sale was intercepted at Shell garage in Zeerust, according to the South African Police Services (SAPS).
The lion’s head was found wrapped in trash bags, and the two suspects appeared in court yesterday on December 13.
Picture: Ansie Potgieter/Unsplash
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