Three suspects arrested during a joint anti-poaching operation have appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on charges related to the illegal possession of protected species.
The individuals appeared in court on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, following their apprehension on 4 March 2026. The arrests were the result of a coordinated effort by the Provincial and Polokwane Stock Theft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit, the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), and the Limpopo Pangolin Collective.
In the first incident, Obed Makoena (36) and Thabang Kgaphola (34) were arrested near the Makro store in Polokwane. Authorities allegedly discovered 14 protected leopard tortoises in their vehicle. The suspects were found not to possess the required permits for the animals.
In a separate operation in the Sterpark area of Polokwane, Aubrey Mokalapa (32) was taken into custody. He was allegedly found in possession of three leopard skins and one lion skin, also without the necessary permits.
All three suspects were formally charged and appeared before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on 11 March. The court granted each of them bail in the amount of R10,000. The cases have been postponed to a later date to allow for further investigations.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has commended the collaborative efforts of the various entities involved in the operation that led to the arrests.