Leopard skin recovered
A fresh leopard skin was recovered by members of the SAPS Stock Theft Unit on Friday morning and two suspects were arrested.
The skin of the animal was rolled up and tied with wire, put into a plastic bag and ready to be sold on the black market for an amount undisclosed by police.
The Middelburg SAPS stated that they received information that the leopard skin was available in Doornkop.
They followed this information and on Friday morning set a trap in which the skin was recovered and the two suspects were arrested.
They have been identified as Mooiman Goodman Mahlangu (33) and a Zimbabwean national, Eleckson Moyo.
Police believe that the leopard was killed earlier this year, in the region between Sebaka and Loskopdam. It is also possible that the leopard was shot as bullet holes in the hide indicate.
Leopard skin is used for Inyanga clothing, muti as well as a trophy.
Both suspects were remanded in custody over the weekend and appeared on Monday before the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on charges of unlawful possession of dead game.
