They are expected to appear before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court today. The trio is charged with contravening section 57 of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act.

North West Hawks spokesperson, Tlangelani Rikhotso, told OFM News that police were acting on a tip-off where they intercepted and arrested the suspects at the N12 intersection towards Dominionville headed to Maaretsane, near Sannieshof in the North West. Police confiscated lion meat and bones, a tiger’s skin and equipment used to process lion bones. Rikhotso further stated that although the case is a first of its kind in the North West Province, it has received great publicity which forms part of awareness about such crimes.

She also said that as law enforcement agencies they do their best to ensure that they conduct thorough investigations to ensure that perpetrators are caught. These three were out on bail while their co-accused have been given suspended sentences and charges were dropped against two others.

OFM News/Joba Matsheng