FOUR DETAINED FOR UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF PANGOLIN

Rescued Pangolin

By: Neo Ntsele

Four suspects, aged between 47 and 62, are set to appear in the Welkom Magistrates Court on Friday (today) for allegedly violating the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 and the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.

Members of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit of the Hawks and the Welkom Anti-Gang Unit responded to intelligence regarding a group of suspects involved in selling pangolins.

On 4 June 2026, the information was put into action.

Four suspects in a blue Toyota Quest were caught in the act while attempting to sell a pangolin for R80,000.

They were promptly arrested, and the pangolin was handed over to the authorities for safekeeping.

Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, Free State Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), praised the officers for the swift arrest of the poachers and for helping to prevent the extinction of endangered species.