PHALALA – A 27-year-old man from Botswana appeared before the Phalala Magistrate’s Court on Friday 28 August after he was caught trying to cross the Limpopo border with a live pangolin earlier in the week.

The suspect, Tholego Gaebolae, was arrested on Wednesday 26 August on charges of possession of a specially protected wild animal and contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002.

According to a police statement issued on Saturday, members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) doing routine patrol duties along the river next to the Groblersbrug Border Post spotted the man crossing the Limpopo River from Botswana into South Africa at about 19:30.

“They confronted the suspect and requested his passport, which he failed to produce. Upon searching his bag, they discovered a live pangolin, classified as a specially protected wild animal.

“The suspect failed to provide a satisfactory explanation about the origin and possession of the protected species. He was immediately arrested and handed over to Tom Burke Border Policing.”

He was remanded in custody and his case was postponed to Thursday 17 September for a formal bail application and further police investigations.

Police investigations are continuing.