Four women who were arrested for allegedly being in possession of 3 lion cubs which they were reportedly selling, are expected to apply for bail in the Boksburg Magistrates’ Court, east of Johannesburg next Tuesday.
The suspects, Jorain Hill (22), Megan du Plessis (25), Yanndri Bekker (27) and Lauren Bartholomew (46) were arrested following a tip-off earlier this week.
The Hawks Serious Organised Crime investigation executed a search and seizure operation in Boksburg North, where they found the three lion cubs estimated to be around 5 weeks old.
The search arose after a tip off from Crime Intelligence was swiftly acted upon on Monday (28 November 2022).
The group was charged with illegal dealing, possession and transportation of endangered species. This is a contravention of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act.
They appeared in the Boksburg Magistartes’ Court and the case has been postponed to Tuesday, 06 December 2022 for a bail application.
