Botswana man remanded after pangolin found in bag at Limpopo border

A 27-year-old Botswana citizen has been remanded after allegedly being caught with a live pangolin while crossing the Limpopo River into South Africa.

The man, identified as Tholego Gaebolae, was arrested on Wednesday evening after members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) spotted him crossing the river near the Groblersbrug Border Post at about 7:30pm.

According to police, the SANDF members stopped Gaebolae and asked him to produce a passport. He allegedly failed to provide one.

A search of his bag then uncovered a live pangolin, which is classified as a specially protected wild animal.

Police said Gaebolae could not provide a satisfactory explanation for his possession of the animal or account for its origin.

He was arrested and handed over to SAPS border policing officials at Tom Burke.

Gaebolae appeared in the Phalala Magistrate’s Court on Friday and was remanded in custody. His case was postponed to 17 September for a formal bail application and further investigations.

He faces charges relating to the possession of a specially protected wild animal and contravention of South Africa’s Immigration Act 13 of 2002.

Limpopo provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Scheepers commended the SANDF and SAPS members involved in the arrest, saying their actions demonstrated the importance of continued cooperation in combating wildlife trafficking and illegal cross-border movement.