PANGOLIN HANDLER CONVICTED AND SENTENCED
LIMPOPO – Mr George Marawidzi (60) was convicted and sentenced to five (5) years imprisonment or to pay ten thousand rand (R10 000) fine for illegal possession of a pangolin by the Phalaborwa Regional Court on 20 June 2024.
During May 2023, the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation received a tip-off about a person who was allegedly on the way to sell a pangolin in Hoedspruit.
A sting operation between the Hawks, CIC National Security, D-Dass and Hoedspruit Farmawatch was conducted. Without any waste of time, the team followed up on the information and a suspicious vehicle was spotted in Gravelotte. Upon stopping and searching the suspicious vehicle, the team found a pangolin valued at R10 000-00 hidden in the boot inside the bag.
The accused failed to produce a permit for being in possession of a pangolin and was immediately placed under arrest for possession of endangered species (pangolin). He was taken to court and released on bail of five thousand rand (R5 000). The case was thoroughly by the Hawks investigated until the accused, Marawidzi convicted and sentenced.
