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A bodyguard from the Eastern Cape MEC for Social Development, Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi, was arrested with four others by the Green Scorpions on Saturday for illegally hunting on a private farm on the eastern outskirts of London, as well as for violating blockade regulations. from Covid-19.
A vehicle belonging to the department was also confiscated from the officer, Eastern Cape provincial police said Saturday.
The noncommissioned officer, who cannot be named until he appears in court, was one of five men arrested by law enforcement officers from the Department of Environmental and Forest Affairs, also known as the “Green Scorpions.”
He is attached to the SAPS VIP Protection Unit in Bhisho.
Eastern Cape police spokesman Colonel Sibongile Soci said the suspects, aged 30 to 62, will appear in King William’s Town Magistrates Court on Monday.
Soci said the men face charges of illegal hunting, trespassing, and violation of the Disaster Management Act.
The alleged incident occurred when the country entered on the 44th day of the national closure.
Soci said: “A community member alerted police to five men hunting on a farm. Four suspects between the ages of 30 and 62 were arrested for illegally hunting, trespassing, and violating the Disaster Management Act. These suspects were arrested. while hunting and it is alleged that they failed to poach any animals. “
‘Really a security issue’ for MEC
Soci said a suspect fled the scene. A police chase yielded no results, he said.
The incident took place around 3:00 p.m., officials who were on the scene said.
Soci added: “The vehicles that were used in the crime were confiscated (four vehicles, including a state vehicle).”
Police officers close to the investigation told News24 that the state vehicle, which was driven by the bodyguard, was used to transport hunting dogs.
A vehicle belonging to the Department of Social Development was confiscated after an MEC bodyguard was arrested along with four others for illegally hunting on a private farm.
Mani-Lusithi’s spokesman Lufefe Mkutu said the MEC office was investigating the matter.
“We will analyze the matter, but it is also really a security issue because there is a protector attached to the MEC. And I think it is really a security issue and we will get the direction and the way forward from them [VIP protection unit], in its internal process.
“But for the use of the departmental car we really condemn him and believe that it is really unacceptable and unfortunate.”
Departmental spokesman for environmental affairs, Ncedo Lisani, had not responded to questions at the time of writing.
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