The four women who were arrested for allegedly trying to sell lion cubs in Trichardts Road were granted R4 000 bail each at the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Jordin Hill (22) and Lauren Botholomeuw (46) from Mulbarton, and Yanndri Bekker (27) and Megan du Plessis (25) of Stilfontein, were granted bail on condition they report to their respective police stations every Friday between 08:00 and 16:00.

It is alleged they were trying to sell three lion cubs, worth about R30 000, when they were arrested on the corner of Trichardts and Massel roads on November 29.

Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said their unit reacted to a tip-off they received from crime intelligence the day before.

“Following surveillance, a search and seizure operation netted the women in Boksburg North. Three lion cubs, estimated to be about five weeks old, were rescued and taken to a vet,” he said.

There are two charges against the women, namely ‘carry out a restricted activity involving threatened/protected species without a permit’. The alternative charge to count one is the ‘unlawful purchase of specially protected game’.

They are accused of being in contravention of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (no. 10 of 2004).

The matter was postponed to February 10 for further investigations.