- Two foreign nationals were arrested for being in possession of Tops species
- He had no permits for the specimen found in his possession
- The 35-year-old admitted guilt and was given a R3 000 fine
Two foreign nationals were arrested in Mmamahabane and Ventersburg for being in possession of threatened or protected species (Tops) specimen.
On 7 July the police, in conjunction with the Department of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Destea) conducted environmental operations in this district.
In Mmamahabane, a 48-year-old male was arrested on three charges of possession of TOPS specimen.
He had no permits for the specimen found in his possession, and he is apparently also in the country illegally.
On the same day the operational support, the community policing forum (CPF) and the Ventersburg SAPS, together with Destea, continued with the multi-disciplinary operations and arrested another foreign national.
Charged with possession of an indigenous plant without permit to sell, the 35-year-old admitted guilt and was given a R3 000 fine.
He was ordered to pay the fine before 25 July or, alternatively, appear in court on 25 August.
