The Krugersdorp Police recently arrested a 37-year-old woman for the illegal possession of elephant tusks.
In a statement sent by Krugersdorp Police’s spokesperson, Captain Raymond Sebonyane, he explained that police members followed up on a tip on 24 March at about 12.30pm.
A tip-off about a woman being in possession of elephant tusks led them to a house in Burgershoop where they apprehended her. When asked how the ivory came to be in her possession, she could not present them with any documentation or a suitable answer.
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She was arrested and is expected to appear in the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court.
“The illegal trade of ivory is a criminal offence in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004. Elephant poaching does not only hurt the size and strength of a herd, but also destroys the ecosystem maintained by the elephant’s movement through the forest,” Sebonyane said in the statement.
He added that the station commander is impressed with the members’ swift response.
“The arrest of this suspect and the recovery of elephant tusks are shining examples of the effort to combat wildlife-related crime in Krugersdorp. Police will continue rooting out illegal activities and make sure that those committing these crimes are brought to book,” said Krugersdorp Police station commander, Brigadier Mashao.
The community is encouraged to call the police, even anonymously, on the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111 or via the My SAPS app. Information will be treated as confidential.
