Two years after he allegedly shot and killed a protected crowned crane, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality traffic officer Johnathan Pillay appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court last week.
Mr Pillay is accused of killing the bird while trespassing on a farmer’s land in Paddock in September 2016.
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He was charged with trespassing and also faced a charge under the National Environment Management of Biodiversity Act of 10 of 2004, brought by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
However, in the Ezingolweni Magistrate’s Court, he produced a receipt indicating that he had paid a R100 admission of guilt fine.
This led to the charges being withdrawn.
The state has now summoned him back to court. The case was postponed and Mr Pillay is expected to appear again soon.
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