Hawks spokesperson, Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso, told News24 that Michael Frederich Fouche, 42, also known as Frikkie Fouche, was taken to the Klerksdorp Magistrate's Court after handing himself over on Tuesday morning.

He joined his co-accused relative Johagem Louis Fouche, 22, Lourens Pretorious, 24, and Vietnamese nationals Nguyen Huu Son, 30, Nguyen Van Tuan, 33, Dao The Thanh, 38, Pham Van Khue, 56, Chanh, 56 and Cu Quoc Thang, 60, in the dock where they were charged under the Nemba Act (National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act) for the illegal possession of game products and carrying out restricted activities involving specimens of a listed, threatened or protected species.

Fouche is described as the person renting the Hartbeesfontein slaughterhouse property where 40 lions and a tiger were reportedly killed for their bones and other body parts at the weekend.

A clandestine police operation had observed activities at the farm over a length of time before the suspects were arrested on Sunday when their vehicles were intercepted on the N12.

A search of the vehicles and towed-trailer yielded gruesome quantities of freshly cut lion meat and bones, a tiger skin and bones, gas cylinders, gas burners, containers, a saw, knives and other equipment used to process predator carcasses and bones.

A lion skin and more bone cutters were later found during a search of Fouche's farm.

News24 understands police are looking for more suspects, and further charges could be added.

The matter was postponed to December 5, 2018, for further investigation and bail applications. The suspects will remain in custody.

News24