Archive photo for illustration purposes only. (Photo: SAPS)
The Free State police not only warned that illegal hunting will be dealt with effectively, but also recently added the act to the word.
As part of Operation Shanella II, members of the law in this province raided suspected illegal hunters and people who had illegal firearms in their possession last weekend.
In Bayswater, a stolen vehicle was recovered and two suspects were also arrested.
Observant community members noticed in Bloemspruit how a suspect threw an object into the bushes and called the police. An unlicensed firearm was seized and the suspect was arrested.
In Sasolburg, two suspects were arrested after their vehicle was spotted on the R57 road and pulled over. An unlicensed firearm was found.
In Tseki, a man was arrested at a tavern, after the police allegedly caught him with an illegal 9mm firearm.
Sgt. Mahlomola Kareli, Free State police spokesperson, said in a statement that the province’s livestock theft unit forms part of Operation Shanella II – especially with a view to the hunting season that has already kicked off in the Free State and other provinces.
According to Kareli, particular attention is paid to organized gatherings where up to 60 dogs are transported to farms at the same time to hunt game illegally.
Kareli warned that hunters should therefore get their paperwork in order. In the case where a person is found on a fenced piece of land without a permit with dogs, the court will place the burden of proof on that person to explain that it was not to steal game or livestock.
According to the police, the burden of proof in court can shift to the suspect if someone with dogs, and without a permit, is found on fenced land. The person will then have to prove themselves that no wildlife or livestock theft was intended.
Kareli also reminded again that a hunter must have written permission from a landowner and to hunt without the necessary documentation can lead to the confiscation of a vehicle, equipment and criminal prosecution.