The four lion cubs that were seized. (Photo: Provided/Hawks)
A police officer attached to the Bothaville police station in the Free State appeared in court together with another suspect after they apparently wanted to peddle lion cubs for R100 000 each.
Mokete Elizabeth Dikoko (51), the police clerk, and Elias Moloi (36) appeared in the Bothaville Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of breaching the National Environmental Management and Biodiversity Act.
Dikoko was released on bail while Moloi will apply for bail on Thursday. Dikoko will also be subjected to an internal disciplinary process.
Dikoko and Moloi were arrested last week together with a 14-year-old child in Bothaville when they attempted to sell four lion cubs for R100 000 each. The lion cubs were seized and returned to the rightful owner in Viljoenskroon from whom they were stolen.
The case concerning the minor child was referred to the department of social development.
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