A South African Police Service (SAPS) administrative clerk has appeared in court after allegedly attempting to sell four stolen lion cubs in the Free State.
Image used for illustrative purposes/flowcomm/Unsplash
According to eNCA, the 51-year-old clerk, along with a 36-year-old co-accused, was arrested during a sting operation led by the Hawks. Authorities had received intelligence about the illegal sale, prompting a coordinated response.
The suspects allegedly tried to sell each cub for R100,000.
A 14-year-old minor was also taken into custody during the operation.
Recovered and returned
The cubs were later confirmed to have been stolen from a farm in Viljoenskroon. Following their recovery, they were safely returned to their lawful owner.
The accused appeared in the Bothaville Magistrate’s Court and face charges under South Africa’s National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act.
While the co-accused remains in custody pending a bail application, the SAPS clerk has been released on bail. She is also expected to face internal disciplinary proceedings.
The minor has been referred to the Department of Social Development.
Wildlife crime in the spotlight
The case highlights ongoing concerns around wildlife trafficking in South Africa, where endangered and protected species remain targets for illegal trade.
Law enforcement agencies continue to clamp down on such activities, with coordinated operations increasingly leading to arrests and recoveries.
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