EASTERN CAPE: Port Alfred Cluster: Port Alfred
Early this morning, April 8, at 5am warrant officer Tertius Neethling of the Port Alfred K9 unit noticed a red and white Toyota Corolla speeding into Port Alfred from Kenton on R72.
He pulled the vehicle over on the Nico Malan bridge just past the traffic lights. The driver said he was late for work, therefore he was speeding. On searching the vehicle, Neethling found carcasses of two Bushbuck, one grey duiker and one porcupine with a live dog in the boot. He heard strange sounds coming from a backpack in the boot.
On searching the bag he found a dead springhare and a live grey duiker. In the vehicle he also found a spear and two knives ,all blood stained, a spotlight with a large battery and two ropes behind the driver’s seat. Three males aged 57, 30 and 26 were arrested.
They face charges of Illegal Hunting or Possession of endangered wild animals and eight additional counts. Total value of the animals is R45 000 (updated from original estimate of R18 000).
The driver was also issued with two warnings by an inspector from the local SPCA for transporting a live dog in the boot and for allowing the duiker to suffer.
The duiker had to be euthanized by SPCA.
Enquiries Captain Mali Govender 0827797123.
