Northern Cape – A 58-year-old man from Brandvlei in the Karoo region, Northern Cape, has been arrested after he was found in possession of a protected tortoise without the required permit, police said.
According to police spokesperson Ivan Magerman, the arrest was made on 20 February 2026 following a tip-off that was operationalised by officers.
Magerman said members moved swiftly after receiving information and located the suspect in a street in Brandvlei.
“The male was found in possession of a tortoise and was unable to produce the required permit authorising him to keep the protected animal and was subsequently arrested and charged under the Nature Conservation Act for the illegal possession of a protected animal,” Magerman said.
#sapsNC On 20 February 2026, a Brandvlei man (58) was found in possession of a tortoise and was unable to produce the required permit authorising him to keep the protected animal and was subsequently arrested and charged under the Nature Conservation Act for the illegal… pic.twitter.com/CTtLScjK5y
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) February 21, 2026
The suspect was allegedly intending to sell the animal.
Police warned that trading or keeping protected wildlife without authorisation is a criminal offence.
District Commissioner Brigadier Schalk Andrews said the public must respect wildlife protection laws.
He said that “the possession, trade, or transportation of protected wildlife without the necessary permits is a serious criminal offence.”
The statement urged members of the public to report suspicious wildlife-related activities to South African Police Service by contacting the Crime Stop line at 08600 10111 or using the MySAPS mobile application.
Police did not immediately disclose when the suspect would appear in court.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
