Wrong turn: Police officers arrested for trying to sell pangolin worth R160,000 to undercover cop
Lesly Jan Moeng, Isaac Leatile Ntsibe, and Sun City police officers Mkhanyisi Samuel and Paulina Mokgaki were arrested while allegedly trying to sell a pangolin worth R160,000.
Image: Oupa Mokoena/ Independent Media
The Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court has denied bail to a 55-year-old man, Lesly Jan Moeng, who was allegedly caught trying to sell a pangolin valued at R160,000.
Moeng is facing a charge of possession of a pangolin, a protected species under South African law. His three co-accused — Isaac Leatile Ntsibe, 62, and two police officers stationed at Sun City police station, Mkhanyisi Samuel, 43, and Paulina Mokgaki, 43 — were granted bail of R2,000 each earlier this month.
According to Lumka Mahanjana, Gauteng regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), police received information that Moeng was attempting to sell the endangered animal.
An entrapment operation was set up, during which the four suspects, including the police officers Samuel and Mokgaki, allegedly tried to sell the pangolin to an undercover police agent. They were arrested on 1 October 2025.
In court, State prosecutor Advocate Michael Shivuri opposed Moeng’s bail application, citing an affidavit by investigating officer Morne Kemp. The affidavit revealed that Moeng has two previous convictions — one for attempted murder and another for robbery.
It also emerged that at the time of his arrest, Moeng had an outstanding warrant for possession of stolen property dating back 13 years.
Shivuri argued that releasing Moeng on bail would not be in the interest of justice as he poses a flight risk. The magistrate agreed and ordered that Moeng remain in custody.
The case has been postponed to 29 January 2026 for further investigation.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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