Cape Town couple fined R40,000 each for illegal reptile trade involving 95 animals

Cape Town – A Cape Town couple has been fined R40,000 each after being convicted on multiple wildlife offences involving the illegal keeping, possession and transport of 95 reptiles without the required permits.

According to a statement by CapeNature, Zirkie Bernardus Jansen and Valerie Gayle Simpson-Jansen were convicted in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on seven counts under the Nature Conservation Ordinance.

The court sentenced each of the accused to a fine of R40,000 or 18 months’ imprisonment.

CAPE TOWN COUPLE FINED FOR ILLEGAL REPTILE TRADE:

CapeNature has welcomed the conviction of a Kirstenhof couple, Zirkie Bernardus Jansen and Valerie Gayle Simpson-Jansen, for multiple wildlife offences involving the unlawful keeping, possession and transport of reptiles.

The… pic.twitter.com/0okjkinMAK

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) August 4, 2026

The offences were committed in March 2022 and involved 95 reptiles, including crested geckos, gargoyle geckos, New Caledonian geckos and ball pythons, which were kept and transported without the necessary permits.

In addition to the illegal possession and transport of the reptiles, the couple were convicted of breaching permit conditions, failing to account for certain animals in their possession and submitting false information in a wildlife permit application.

Welcoming the conviction, CapeNature said the outcome demonstrated that violations of environmental legislation would be dealt with firmly.