By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
10 April 2025- A 24-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment by the Springbok Regional Court for contravention of National Environmental Management Act (NEMBA) and contravention of the Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act. In December 2022, The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team based in Springbok, received intelligence-driven information on illegal transportation and trading of the Conophytum plant (protected plant) in the Garies area.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said as per information, the accused, Hanro Owies, was supposed to meet with the buyer next to a private farm on N7 route. Thebe said the investigation team proceeded to pick a spot next to the same route on N7 to Garies for observation duties.
“The accused came straight to the law enforcement motor vehicle under the impression that it’s the buyer and he was immediately placed under arrest with 2863 Conophytum protected plants, which were also seized.
“On count one of Contravention of Sec 50(d), transportation of 2863 protected plants without permit, the accused was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment. On count two for Contravention of Sec 50(f), trade of 2863 protected plants without a permit, he was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment.
“The sentence shall run concurrently. The court saw fit to declare Owies unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 (1) of the Firearm Control Act 60 of 2000,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) Provincial Head in the Northern Cape, Major General Steven Mabuela, commended the team for their timeous response in dealing with intelligence driven information received.
The Guardian 