Delareyville – Two suspects have been arrested after police discovered a live Southern African Python hidden inside a blue bag during an intelligence‑driven operation targeting the illegal online trade in wildlife.
Police spokesperson Colonel Anne Magakoe said the arrests followed a social media advertisement, in a private group, about the sale of a python for R5 000.
Acting on the tip‑off about the sale, law enforcers from the Sannieshof Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, and the Wildlife Crime Information Network, traced the seller to Delareyville.
The police probe led them to two suspects they found in the town, nestled in the central region of North West Province.
Colonel Magakoe said a search of one suspect’s bag led to the recovery of the live python.
Both were arrested for contravening Section 57(1) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, which prohibits possession and trade in protected species without permits.
The suspects appeared briefly in the Delareyville Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 31 August 2026.
However, the suspects were released on warning, and the case remains under investigation.
Colonel Magakoe said the python was in the safe custody of conservation authorities.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Arthur Adams urged communities to report suspicious wildlife trade activities.
“Members of the community are encouraged to report illegal possession, transportation, or sale of protected wildlife to the police,” he said.
