GAUTENG – Four females appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 30 November 2022, for possession of three lion cubs which they were selling.

The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime investigation arose after a tipoff from Crime Intelligence was swiftly acted upon on Monday. Following a surveillance a search and seizure operation netted four females, in Boksburg North. Three lion cubs estimated to be around five weeks old were rescued from them.

The group consisting of Jorain Hill (22), Megan du Plessis (25), Yanndri Bekker (27) and Lauren Bartholomew (46) was charged with illegal dealing, possession and transportation of endangered species. This is a contravention of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act. They appeared in the Boksburg Magistarte’s Court and the case was postponed to Tuesday, 06 November 2022 for a bail application.

Source: South African Police Service