Phumulani Golden Khumalo (41) and Sijabuliso Mpofu (48), were found guilty of unlawful possession of an endangered species.

Read: TZANEEN: 14 years behind bars for Pangolin thieves

The Hawks spokesperson, Captain Matimba Maluleke said that on October 25 last year, police acted swifly on a tipoff about two people who were selling a Pangolin at Tzaneen Central Business District and subsequently Khumalo and Mpofu were arrested for unlawful possession of a Pangolin.

Maluleke said the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit took over the investigation and successfully opposed bail against the duo. The Acting Provincial Head of the Hawks, Brigadier Thabo Ramela vowed to deal with poachers of endangered species.

“We would like to warn those who are dealing in endangered species that we will stop them in their tracks,” Ramela said.