Northern Cape police spokesperson, Mashay Gamieldien says the three suspects were arrested by police alongside the Springbok Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit after police confiscated 1100 plants from the suspects with an estimated street value of R100 000 to be sold on the black market.

The three male suspects on 7 July 2021 were illegally collecting the protected plant species known as Conophytum Achabense in the mountainous area of the Achab Berg in the Pella area before they were arrested when police received a tip-off.

“Links, Fortuin and Kardinal made their first appearance in the same court yesterday where a bail of R2000 was requested," Gamieldien says. 

Gamieldien further adds that the three suspects were charged with contravening the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act.

OFM News/Blaine Jones