Seven suspects, Godfrey Dibakoane (40), Miko Shobede (42), Sibusiso Malapane (19), Dimakatso Malepe (19), Manvoba Thabetse (27), Andrle Nkuna (24) and a 17-year-old boy, were arrested after being caught red-handed with at least 27 carcasses of wild animals piled onto two bakkies in Pilgrim’s Rest on December 4.

Although six of the seven were granted bail of R5 000 each, they will only be released after all of their addresses have been verified.

Lowvelder could not independently confirm which suspect was refused bail.

No fewer than 25 common and mountain reedbucks – of which the latter are an endangered species – were found on the back of the bakkies. The 12 common reedbucks were pregnant.

During the arrest, a .223 Remington hunting rifle and a .243 Windsor rifle were found on the suspects.

One of the rifles belongs to Dibakoane, a senior official of Eskom.

Lazaras Muthimba, the spokesperson for Eskom, says they take the allegations against Dibakoane very seriously, but will only take appropriate action once the court case is finalised. He didn’t say whether Dibakoane will be suspended while the court case is running.

The case was postponed until December 18, when the suspects will appear in the Graskop Magistrate’s Court again.

* Warning: Photographs not for sensitive viewers.