5 Giant Baobabs Stolen In Limpopo, Intercepted In Durban While Being Smuggled To Georgia
Trees Found Alive
Five massive baobab trees estimated to be 300 years old and weighing up to 30 tonnes each have been rescued.
The trees were uprooted in Lephalale, Limpopo by Pretoria exporter Divine Landscapes and trucked to Durban. They were intercepted on 17 July 2026 at Africa Global Logistics warehouse in Mobeni, just before export to Georgia
Authorities found the company had no permits to uproot, transport or export the protected trees. DFFE rejected their application on 31 July and dismissed their appeal on 27 October 2026.
For more than three months, the giants lay on their sides in a parking area, dehydrating on hot paving. Despite the condition, all five are still alive.
Rescue began on Wednesday 11 November 2026 when the first tree was loaded onto an abnormal-load truck for the 900km journey to Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
The operation was initiated by ecologist Dr Sarah Venter, founder of the Baobab Foundation, after she read about the trees. Timbavati offered to pay for loading, transport and replanting. Former Durban Botanic Gardens curator Christopher Dalzell volunteered to assist.
Reports link the buyer to Georgian billionaire and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. The exporter will appear in Durban Magistrates Court in January 2027.
300 years. 30 tonnes. 900km. Still alive.