Four in dock for theft of rare cycads

Four men have appeared in the Mookgopong magistrates court in Limpopo in connection with the theft of rare cycads - worth a total of about R40 000. They are accused of stealing seven cycads named after Eugene Marais, the Afrikaans author.

The Waterberg in Limpopo is the only place in the world where they still grow in their natural state.

Three of the accused, Moses Ncube, Arnold Matutu and Kissmore Impala, are illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe and could therefore not get bail. Johannes Sono from Mookgopong, formerly known as Naboomspruit, was released on R1 000 bail. It is the third time that he was caught for smuggling cycads. The case was postponed for a week.

The fifth accused, Ernie Bouwer from Pretoria, already appeared in court and was released on R5 000 bail. He was arrested in America before for smuggling cycads from South Africa.