Spanish tourist convicted for illegal possession of protected reptiles in Vredendal

A 41-year-old Spanish national has been convicted in the Vredendal Regional Court after authorities found protected reptiles in his hotel room without the required permits.

David Navarro Roman was arrested on November 29, 2025 at a hotel in the Vredendal area after a joint operation by SAPS’ Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STESU) and CapeNature officials. The search followed a tip-off about a man enquiring about Armadillo Girdled Lizards.

Officers found 22 Armadillo Girdled Lizards (Ouroborus cataphractus) and one Speckled dwarf tortoise (Chersobius signatus) in his room. The species are protected and may not be possessed, transported or traded without permits in terms of applicable environmental legislation.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Navarro told the court he had arrived in South Africa in November 2025 and was staying in Klawer. He said he had travelled for tourism and had an interest in Armadillo Girdled Lizards. He admitted purchasing 22 lizards and a tortoise from a person whose details he could not provide and keeping them in his hotel room without documentation.

He pleaded guilty on February 12, 2026 to charges relating to possession of protected fauna without documentation and the importation and transportation of wild animals without permits in terms of the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974. He was also convicted on a charge under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).

The court sentenced him to five years’ direct imprisonment for possession of fauna without documentation, wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of similar environmental offences during the period of suspension. He received two-year direct imprisonment sentences, wholly suspended for five years, on the importation and transportation charge and on the POCA-related charge, subject to similar conditions.

In addition, Navarro admitted that the court could grant a confiscation order of R500,000 in terms of section 18 of POCA. The amount will be divided between the Criminal Assets Recovery Account and CapeNature. The reptiles were forfeited to CapeNature and placed in an appropriate facility for care. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Eric Ntabazalila, spokesperson for the NPA in the Western Cape, said the matter underscores the seriousness with which environmental crimes are treated.

“Illegal trade in fauna and flora ranks among the largest criminal activities globally, alongside drug trafficking, weapons smuggling and human trafficking. Environmental crime is time-critical — once species are removed from fragile ecosystems, the damage can be permanent,” he said.

Dr Ashley Naidoo, CEO of CapeNature, expressed concern about the impact of illegal collection on vulnerable reptile populations.

“This species is threatened by widespread, unregulated, unsustainable exploitation of natural populations. The habitat of remaining populations must be protected to avoid further exploitation, which could likely drive the species to extinction,” he said.

Authorities have urged members of the public to report suspected illegal hunting or collection of wildlife to their nearest CapeNature office or via its hotline.

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Cape Argus