Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries
Two German nationals, who were arrested in November 2021 for the illegal trade and possession of reptiles and controlled substances, were arrested again on Thursday on similar charges as they were walking out of court.
Daniel Lohde and Marko Drescher were rearrested outside an Upington court as a result of ongoing investigations against them.
In November 2021, they admitted to trading in CITES-listed species, including the endangered Armadillo Girdled lizards.
Department of Environmental Affairs spokesperson Albi Modise said in addition to hefty fines, the two were also ordered to pay R350 000 and R100 000 respectively to the Department to aid its fight against the illegal trade of succulents.
Modise said the men were first arrested near Askam in the Northern Cape following a multi-agency reptile undercover operation.
"They were nabbed while catching reptiles, including Armadillo Girdled lizards which are a threatened and protected species, giant ground geckos, several other lizards and four tortoises in the Northern Cape with the intention to smuggle them out of South Africa," said Modise.
"All tortoises are listed by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora which regulates the international trade in these species."
He said in terms of a plea agreement both men were convicted on all four counts, with Lohde sentenced to a total of 11 years imprisonment or a R175 000 fine, wholly suspended for five years and Drescher sentenced to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of R175 000, wholly suspended for five years.
The sentences were suspended on condition that neither be convicted of contravening the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act as well as certain sections of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act within a five-year period.
Modise said they were rearrested as a result of ongoing investigations into similar charges linked to a case in Gauteng.
He said more arrests are expected in the Gauteng matter and that they will appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate's court in due course.
