A FORMER taxi driver, Francois Gerome Bok, 35 has been sentenced in the Upington regional court, after pleading guilty to being in possession of four pangolin skins.

National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane on Thursday said the pangolin was one of the most endangered mammals facing extinction.

“It is alleged that on May 17 2019, the accused who was a taxi driver during the commission of the offence, was approached by another person to transport and deliver a plastic bag, with four pangolin skins to Upington in exchange for a financial reward.”

He added that the accused was facing financial difficulties and agreed to transport the skins of the endangered species.

“He knew that it was illegal to do so and also did not have the required licence or permit to transport the endangered animals. The accused decided to proceed with this unlawful act, without any duress.”

Senokoatsane stated that the accused was stopped by police Captain Muller, Captain Louw, and warrant officer Alwyn Lesch about ten kilometres outside of Upington.

“The police found a bag with four pangolin skins when they searched the taxi. The accused was arrested and charged with contravening section 57(1) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004, as amended - restricted activity involving threatened or protected species without a permit, and contravening Section 3(d) of the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act 9 of 2009 - restricted activities involving specially protected animals.”

Senokoatsane added that the accused agreed to enter into a formal plea and sentence agreement with the state, as there was “overwhelming evidence” against him.

“During the mitigation and aggravation of sentencing, state prosecutor Alex Tyers argued that the Temminck Pangolin was listed as ‘vulnerable’ in the latest red listings for Mammals of Southern Africa (2016). Populations are declining due to continued poaching and such crimes should be taken in a serious light. The prosecutor argued that a clear message had to be sent out to protect and preserve wildlife and biodiversity.”

He added that the accused was fined R50,000 or a five year sentence of imprisonment.

“In addition, the accused was sentenced to three years imprisonment, that was wholly suspended for five years, on condition that the accused is not convicted of similar offences.”

Senokoatsane indicated that the accused was sentenced to a second fine of R50,000 or five years imprisonment for the second charge.

“The accused was sentenced to an additional three years imprisonment, which was wholly suspended for five years, on condition that he is not convicted of the offences of contravening any of the provisions under Section 3 of the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act 9 of 2009, committed during the period of suspension.”

He indicated that he would also be allowed to pay off the fine off in monthly instalments of R1,250 per month for the first charge and R1,250 per month for the second charge, to the magistrate’s office on or before the 7th of each month.

The Director of Public Prosecution in the Northern Cape Livingstone Saka was confident that these sentences would deter perpetrators of environmental crimes.

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Ex-taxi driver fined R100K for illegal pangolin skins