Two pensioners, Patrick Halawa (61), Viller Petros Mathe (67), and Phillip Chauke (30), appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday for possession and dealing in a pangolin which is on the endangered species list.
The trio was arrested on Saturday in Boksburg, following a sting operation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Flying Squad, and a private entity, IUCN SSC Pangolin Specialist Group. This was after information emerged that they were looking for a buyer for a pangolin.
The court has granted Mathe R3000 bail, whilst the other two were remanded in custody pending verification of their status in the country. The case was postponed to Monday, 17 October for bail application.