By Zara Nicholson
The alleged cross-dressing garden raider has been arrested again and accused of stealing rare and expensive cycads - only hours after he appeared in court on similar charges.
Lance Kleinhans, 28, appeared in the Kuils River magistrate's court last Wednesday morning in connection with two charges of theft of the rare plants.
That night he was nabbed in Brackenfell after allegedly raiding suburban gardens again.
He was taken to Pollsmoor prison where he will remain in custody until his next appearance in the Kuils River magistrate's court on Thursday.
His earlier case has been postponed until next February.
At the Wednesday hearing he appeared in court in trousers and a shirt - a world away from the outfit he is alleged to have worn during night-time raids on northern suburbs gardens.
Witnesses in Protea Heights in Brackenfell had reported seeing the cycad thief wearing a wig, make-up and women's clothing, including a red thong.
Kleinhans appeared in court again last Friday.
Prosecutor Ilana Bester said the case had been postponed until Thursday, when a formal bail application will be made. The state is set to oppose bail.
A resident in the Brackenfell area, who does not want to be named, contacted the Cape Argus and said that she had also reported two cases of theft of cycads from her home in September.