This is an excerpt from an article written and published online by The Citizen on 04 December, 2022

Four women are currently behind bars after appearing in court for allegedly trying to sell lion cubs in Boksburg.

They appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court earlier this week after allegedly attempting to sell the cats, worth approximately R30 000.

Tip-off

They were arrested by the Hawks on 29 November, after its Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit received a tip-off from crime intelligence a day prior, Boksburg Advertiser reports.

“Following surveillance, a search and seizure operation netted the four women in Trichardts Road, Boksburg North. Three lion cubs, estimated to be about five weeks old, were rescued and taken to a vet,” spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said.

The women face charges of carrying out restricted activity involving a threatened or protected species without a permit, and the unlawful purchase of specially protected game, Ramovha explained.