Potchefstroom Flying Squad helps nab suspects illegally in possession of game meat

The Potchefstroom Flying Squad, together with the Hawks’ North West Serious Organised Crime Unit, Crime intelligence, Klerksdorp TRT and the Department of Nature Conservation brought to book eight suspects in possession of wild game meat near Klerksdorp on 25 September.

According to the NW Hawks spokesperson, Capt. Tlangelani Rikhotso, the team found lion bones, lion meat, a tiger skin, gas cylinders, gas burners, containers, a saw, knives and other equipment which is believed to have been used to cut up the lion bones.

In explaining the meaningful contribution of the Potchefstroom Flying Squad (also known as the Highway Patrol), Col Adele Myburgh, the NW SAPS spokesperson says Const. Seitshito and Const. Molaudi of the highway patrol were patrolling the N12 between Wolmaransstad and Dominionville when they spotted the suspicious vehicle. ‘They pulled the vehicle over, searched it and arrested eight suspects for illegally being in possession game products.’

Rikhotso added that the suspects led the team to another farm approximately 30 km from Klerksdorp where the lions were allegedly slaughtered. At the farm, the team found a lion skin dumped in the bush. They also found large machines that are believed to have been the instruments for cutting the bones in the garage.

The suspects have all appeared in court and the matter was postponed to Wednesday (5 December) for a formal bail application. They have been remanded in custody.

The Hawks named the suspects: Louis Fouché (22), Lourens Pretorius (24), Mguyel Huu Son (30), Tuan (33), Dao Chanh (38), Pham Khur (56), Chanh (56) and Quol Thang (60).

‘Michael Frederich Fourie (42), the man who is currently renting the farm where the lions were allegedly slaughtered handed himself to the police last Tuesday. He joined the eight suspects in the Klerksdorp magistrates’ court to face charges of possessing game products without a permit, carrying out restricted activities involving a specimen of a listed, threatened or protected species,’ said Rikhotso.

More successes of the Potchefstroom Flying Squad

Myburg highlighted many cases in which the Potchefstroom Flying Squad positively contributed towards bringing perpetrators to book.

‘In January, the members of the highway patrol driving on the N12 between Wolmaransstad and Klerksdorp stopped a suspicious vehicle and arrested two suspects after they were allegedly involved in a robbery in Wolmaransstad. In April, five suspects were arrested and detained for an alleged bank robbery in Klerksdorp and a huge amount of money was recovered after the robbery was reported at a bank in Klerksdorp. In May, they seized crystal meth and arrested two suspects for possession of drugs.

‘In August, highway patrol members spotted a suspicious vehicle on the N14 close to Ventersdorp. A tracking company was tracking the same vehicle for allegedly being involved in a hijacking and robbery in Rustenburg.

‘They stopped the vehicle and arrested one suspect for being in possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.
During September, the highway patrol followed up on a suspicious vehicle in Potchefstroom. They arrested two suspects and recovered a hijacked vehicle and an unlicensed firearm.

‘While patrolling the N12 close to Potchefstroom in the same month, members pulled a vehicle over and found 173 rolls of copper wire inside. They seized the vehicle and copper and arrested three suspects for being in possession of suspected stolen property,’ she reported.
Myburg lauded the huge successes of the members but stressed that the police consists of different units. ‘But we strive to work together as a team, especially when we receive information on suspicious activities.’