Four caught selling lion paws for R300,000

On Monday 6 January 2020, four suspects were arrested in Rustenburg by the Hawks for trying to sell lion paws worth R300,000. The suspects are aged between 41 and 51.

The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation assisted by members of Crime Intelligence in a sting operation that led to apprehending the suspects.

According to a statement made by the Hawks, they had received information about people looking for a buyer of four lion paws that were in their possession. ‘Investigations were conducted resulting in a sting operation where the suspects tried to sell the paws to an undercover agent for R300 000,’ said the statement.

The suspects will appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court today, 8 January 2020, where they face charges of contravening the National Environment Management-Biodiversity (NEMBA) Act.

According to The South African, eight mutilated lion carcasses were found in Swartruggens on Friday 3 January. The animals had been brutally killed and their noses and paws removed from their bodies.

The area where the carcasses were found is about 60 kms from where the suspects were caught. Speaking to The South African, police spokesperson Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso said it was too early to decipher if the paws belonged to the carcasses. ‘In due course, we will be able to say whether the two cases are linked or not,’ she said.