A Sting in the Scales: Cops Nabbed in R160,000 Pangolin Trap

In a story that reads like a crime thriller, a tip-off about an illegal wildlife sale led to a dramatic sting operation with an unexpected twist: the alleged traffickers included two serving police officers.

The Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court has become the stage for this unfolding drama, where four suspects are facing charges for the possession and attempted sale of a pangolin, one of the world’s most trafficked and protected mammals, valued at R160,000.

The Sting That Snared Its Own

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), police received credible information that a man, Lesly Jan Moeng, was looking to sell the endangered animal. An undercover police agent was deployed to set up a buy.

The operation culminated on October 1, 2025, with the arrest of four individuals. Among them were two officers from the Sun City police station: 43-year-old Mkhanyisi Samuel and 43-year-old Paulina Mokgaki. Their alleged involvement marks a profound betrayal of their duty to uphold the law.

A Kingpin Denied Bail

While the two police officers and a fourth suspect, Isaac Leatile Ntsibe, were granted bail of R2,000 each earlier this month, the alleged ringleader remains behind bars.

The state, represented by Advocate Michael Shivuri, successfully opposed Moeng’s bail application. The court heard that the 55-year-old is not new to the justice system; he has previous convictions for attempted murder and robbery. Compounding his troubles, an outstanding warrant for possession of stolen property from 13 years ago also came to light.

The magistrate agreed with the state’s argument that Moeng was a flight risk, and denying him bail was in the interest of justice.

A Case That Highlights a Deeper Crisis

The case has been postponed to January 29, 2026, for further investigation. For the two police officers, the charges represent a severe breach of public trust, raising uncomfortable questions about corruption within law enforcement.

For the pangolin, a shy and scaly creature whose population is being decimated by poaching, this arrest is a small victory in a much larger war. The incident underscores a grim reality: the illegal wildlife trade is a lucrative business that can tempt even those sworn to protect the public.

{Source: IOL}

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