The Phalaborwa-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team has arrested a 49-year-old suspect for allegedly selling elephant tusks at Bende Mutale village on 05 November 2025.
The arrest followed intelligence received about an individual selling elephant tusks in the area.
A sting operation was conducted in collaboration with various units, including Phalaborwa SOCI, Thohoyandou Tactical Response Team (TRT), Thohoyandou K9, Thohoyandou Flying Squad, and Musina Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC). The team successfully apprehended the suspect and seized two elephant tusks.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Musina Magistrate’s Court on 06 November 2025 for contravening the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA).
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province, Major General Gopz Govender, commended the team for their swift response, arresting the suspect, and recovering the tusks.
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