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Latest news with #MpumalangaNatureConservationAct

Hawks arrest man for selling endangered barn owls in Nelspruit
Hawks arrest man for selling endangered barn owls in Nelspruit

IOL News

time4 days ago

  • IOL News

Hawks arrest man for selling endangered barn owls in Nelspruit

A barn owl in flight. Image: Chris Collingridge A MAN selling endangered barn owls for R1 000 at Nelspruit shopping mall yesterday was swooped upon by the he Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks. Acting on an alert received by Parks Board official, the arresting officers also seized the 48-year-old man's vehicle, which was used to transport the birds. The bust, yet again highlighted the constant threat and the battle authorities have with the illegal trade in wildlife in South Africa, a country rich in biodiversity. A man will appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court, facing charges under the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act, and keeping or conveyance of live game. Image: Hawks Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ According to Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga provincial Hawks, the suspect was discovered selling the owls at a local shopping complex for R1,000 each. The brazen act of illegal wildlife trade prompted swift action from the Hawks, following a tip-off from the Parks Board officials. A joint operation ensued, leading to the suspect being caught in the act, with no necessary permits to sell the protected species. 'The vehicle used to transport the wildlife, a Nissan light delivery vehicle, was seized in the operation,' Nkosi confirmed. The arrested individual is set to appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. He faces serious charges under the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act, specifically regarding the keeping and conveyance of live game. Brigadier Danie Hall, the acting provincial head of the Hawks, welcomed the arrest, emphasising the importance of wildlife to South Africa's cultural and natural heritage. 'Wildlife is part of South Africa's heritage, which must be protected,' Hall asserted. He encouraged local communities to report any suspicious activities related to the illegal sale of wildlife, stressing, "When we take care of our wildlife, we safeguard our heritage for future generations." This recent incident is part of a broader trend in South Africa, where law enforcement agencies are stepping up efforts to combat wildlife trafficking. J Last year, another significant case was reported where a 59-year-old man, Neo Tongwane, lost his Mercedes-Benz after being convicted of attempting to sell a pangolin. The Asset Forfeiture Unit secured a final forfeiture order for the vehicle, valued at R150,000, highlighting the legal repercussions faced by those involved in illicit wildlife trade. The fight against wildlife crime is critical for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring that future generations inherit a naturally rich environment. As authorities increase their vigilance, the hope is that such actions will serve both as a deterrent to would-be traffickers and a rallying call for public involvement in safeguarding South Africa's unique wildlife. DAILY NEWS

Wildlife crime: Hawks seize vehicle and arrest man for selling barn owls in a mall
Wildlife crime: Hawks seize vehicle and arrest man for selling barn owls in a mall

IOL News

time4 days ago

  • IOL News

Wildlife crime: Hawks seize vehicle and arrest man for selling barn owls in a mall

A man will appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court, facing charges under the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act, and keeping or conveyance of live game. Image: Hawks A 48-year-old man was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, in Nelspruit, after he was found selling barn owls. The vehicle, a Nissan bakkie, used to transport the nocturnal birds was also seized by the Hawks during the arrest on Monday. 'The suspect was arrested after he was found selling wildlife. He was found in one of the shopping complexes in Nelspruit for allegedly selling four barn owls for R1,000 each,' said Mpumalanga provincial Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi. The Hawks were alerted by the Parks Board officials, and a joint operation was conducted, where the suspect was caught red-handed with the owls, without a permit. 'The vehicle, a Nissan light delivery vehicle that was used to transport the wildlife, was seized, and the animals were handed over to Parks Board,' said Nkosi. The arrested man is on Tuesday expected to appear before Nelspruit Magistrate's Court, facing charges under the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act, and keeping or conveyance of live game. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Meanwhile, acting Mpumalanga provincial head of the Hawks, Brigadier Danie Hall, has welcomed the arrest, adding that wildlife is part of South Africa's heritage, which must be protected. Hall has urged community members to report incidents of where wildlife is being illegally sold. 'When we take care of our wildlife, we safeguard our heritage for future generations," he said. Last year, IOL reported that a 59-year-old man, Neo Tongwane, lost his Mercedes-Benz to the State after he was arrested by law enforcement agents in Northern Cape for possession and attempting to sell a pangolin. The Hawks and the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had applied for the final forfeiture order and they succeeded, when the forfeiture order was granted by the High Court in Kimberley. 'This comes after the accused was arrested in July 2023 during an intelligence-driven operation by members of Kuruman serious organised crime investigation and Tactical Response Team (TRT). A buy and bust operation was conducted in Kuruman whereby four suspects were arrested for illegal dealing in an endangered species, the pangolin,' Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said at the time. 'The matter was referred to the National Prosecuting Authority's Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) for a detailed asset forfeiture investigation. A final forfeiture order was granted for a Mercedes-Benz, with an estimated value of R150,000.' IOL News

Man arrested for illegal selling of owls
Man arrested for illegal selling of owls

The Citizen

time5 days ago

  • The Citizen

Man arrested for illegal selling of owls

A 48-year-old man was arrested today, July 14, for allegedly selling four barn owls for R1 000 each at a shopping complex in Mbombela. ALSO READ: Poacher killed in Kruger National Park shootout The Hawks were alerted by Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MPTA) officials, and a joint operation was conducted. The suspect was found red-handed with the owls, without a permit. A Nissan light delivery vehicle that was used to transport the wildlife was seized by the Hawks. The birds were handed safely over to the MPTA. ALSO READ: Rehabilitated Kruger National Park vultures head back home The suspect is expected to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, August 15, on charges relating to the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act: keeping or conveyance of live game. The Mpumalanga acting provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Brigadier Danie Hall, said wildlife is part of our heritage and we have a duty to protect it. He urges the public to report incidents of this nature to the authorities. 'When we take care of our wildlife, we safeguard our heritage for future generations,' he concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

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