It started with a hotel stay in Vredendal and ended with a conviction, suspended prison sentences and a R500,000 fine for illegal wildlife trafficking.
Image: Supplied
A 41-year-old Spanish national, David Navarro Roman, was convicted in the Vredendal Regional Court on 12 February 2026 for the illegal possession and importation of protected reptiles in the Western Cape.
Authorities found Roman in possession of 22 armadillo girdled lizards (Ouroborus cataphractus) and one speckled dwarf tortoise (Chersobius signatus), which had been transported from the Northern Cape into the Western Cape without the required permits.
He was convicted on three charges. Two fall under the Western Cape Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974, relating to the possession and importation of protected wild animals without permits. The third charge was in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998.
Image: Supplied
The court handed down a two-year prison sentence for each of the three charges, suspended for five years. In addition, Roman was ordered to pay a fine of R500,000. The confiscated animals were forfeited to CapeNature and placed in an appropriate facility for care and rehabilitation.
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A growing conservation concern
Roman was apprehended on 29 November 2025 during a joint operation by CapeNature officials and the South African Police Service while he was staying at a hotel in the Vredendal area.
According to CapeNature CEO Dr Ashley Naidoo, the illegal collection of these reptiles is placing significant pressure on already vulnerable populations. The armadillo girdled lizard, in particular, is threatened by unregulated and unsustainable exploitation.
These reptiles live in social groups, and the removal of entire colonies for the illegal pet trade can result in localised extinction. With remaining populations scattered and limited, natural recovery is unlikely. The species is listed on South Africa’s National Sensitive Species List, underscoring the urgency of stronger enforcement and public vigilance. CapeNature has urged members of the public to report any suspected illegal hunting or gathering of wildlife to their nearest office or via its environmental crime hotline.
Protecting the Cape’s biodiversity
As the conservation authority responsible for safeguarding biodiversity in the Western Cape, CapeNature manages critical mountain catchments and protected areas within the Cape Floristic Region. Much of its work takes place far from public view, yet it directly supports ecosystem services and water security for millions of residents in the province.
This latest conviction sends a clear message. Wildlife trafficking is not a victimless crime, and authorities are tightening the net around those who exploit South Africa’s unique and sensitive species.
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