Two people were arrested in Cape Town for the illegal possession of pangolin scales.

Nkosikhona Ndebele,27, and Mphumelelo Keya,28, appeared in the Muizenberg Magistrate's Court on Friday.

The two was arrested at a food outlet inside a shopping centre in Muizenberg on July 10.

According to Hawks spokesperson Captain Philani Nkwalase their arrest followed a joint intelligence-driven operation held by the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation team and the SA Police Service provincial Flying Squad which allegedly found them in possession of Pangolin scales.

Keya was released on R2 000 bail but Ndebele remains in custody.

The case was postponed to July 19 for verification of Ndebele’s identification pending his bail hearing.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated matter, Glen Baadjies, 45, and Tanyan Jameza Gradwell, 39, were arrested on July 11 after they were allegedly caught in possession of four elephant tusks concealed in the boot of the vehicle they were found in.

"The provincial Flying Squad team stopped a suspicious vehicle driving on Plattekloof Road. The vehicle and the elephant tusks were seized for further investigation," Nkwalase said.

They appeared in the Bellville Magistrate's Court on Monday on a charge of illegal possession of ivory in contravention of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity (Nemba) Act.

They were released on R5 000 bail each.

Their matter was postponed to September 4 for further investigation.