Three suspects arrested in separate incidents during a joint operation targeting wildlife trafficking and illegal possession of protected species in Polokwane

Three suspects arrested in separate incidents during a joint operation targeting wildlife trafficking and illegal possession of protected species in Polokwane have appeared before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

The arrests were effected on 04 March 2026, through coordinated operations conducted by the Provincial and Polokwane #StockTheft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit, Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), and the Limpopo Pangolin Collective.

In the first incident, police arrested two suspects, Obed Makoena (36) and Thabang Kgaphola (34), near Makro in Polokwane after their vehicle was found loaded with 14 protected leopard tortoises without the necessary permits.

In a separate operation conducted in Sterpark, Polokwane, a 32-year-old suspect, Aubrey Mokalapa, was arrested after he was found in possession of three leopard skins and one lion skin, also without the required permits.

All three suspects…