Authorities have arrested a 27-year-old Botswana citizen after he was allegedly caught crossing into South Africa with a live pangolin, a species classified as a Specially Protected Wild Animal, the South African Police Service said on X over the weekend.
Police said South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members were conducting routine patrols along the Limpopo River near the Groblersbrug Border Post on Wednesday evening, 26 August, when they spotted the suspect crossing from Botswana.
When confronted, the man failed to produce a passport. A search of his bag revealed the pangolin, which he could not account for. He was immediately apprehended and handed over to Tom Burke Border Policing.
The suspect, Tholego Gaebolae, appeared in the Phalala Magistrate’s Court on Friday, August 28. He was remanded in custody and his case was postponed until September 17 for a bail application and further investigation.
Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers commended the SANDF and SAPS for their swift action, noting that the arrest highlighted ongoing efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and illegal immigration in the province.
- A 27-year-old Botswana citizen was arrested for allegedly crossing into South Africa with a live pangolin, a Specially Protected Wild Animal.
- The arrest occurred on the evening of August 26 near the Groblersbrug Border Post along the Limpopo River.
- The suspect, Tholego Gaebolae, failed to produce a passport and was found with the pangolin in his bag.
- Gaebolae appeared in Phalala Magistrate’s Court on August 28 and was remanded in custody with a bail application hearing set for September 17.
- Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner praised the SANDF and SAPS for their swift action against wildlife trafficking and illegal immigration.
Police said
When confronted, the man failed to produce a passport. A search of his bag revealed the pangolin, which he could not account for. He was immediately apprehended and handed over to Tom Burke Border
Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers commended the SANDF and SAPS for their swift action, noting that the arrest highlighted ongoing efforts to combat
