protected plant species
27 June 2006
The Gauteng Environmental Management Inspectorateâs (EMI), dubbed the âGreen
Scorpionsâ in some media, sting syndicates peddling illegal elephant ivory
tusks and forbidden plants.
Working in close collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS),
the Special Investigation Unit of the EMI raided a house in Sunninghill on the
20 June 2006. This raid yielded over 400 pieces of ornaments produced from
elephant ivory tusks illegally imported from Zimbabwe. The raid also produced
documents with details of curio shops, individual customers and large
businesses that are suspected to be linked to this illegal trade.
Ornaments confiscated in this raid include, among others, necklaces, mantel
pieces, carved statues, bangles, earrings, polished cylinders, pendulums all
made from ivory. Carved hippo teeth were also seized during the raid. A person
was arrested during the raid and will face pending criminal prosecution in a
court of law.
In a separate operation, conducted in close co-operation with the Germiston
based Organised Crime Unit of the SAPS, the Special Investigation Unit raided
the Mail Centre at the Johannesburg International Airport and impounded 14
boxes containing over 800 plants illegally imported from Namibia. This sting
operation took place on the 13 June 2006 and five suspects were arrested. The
Department is working, in conjunction with the National Department of
Agriculture, the customs, the Namibian and South African National Botanical
Gardens, on identifying the plant species in preparation for another court
case.
We consider these breakthroughs as symbolic of successes expected from the
Environmental Management Inspectorate, the so-called Green Scorpions. The
Gauteng EMIs, who completed a rigorous training course, will be officially
designated by the Gauteng MEC for Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Mr
Khabisi Mosunkutu, on 10 July 2006.
Enquiries:
Sizwe Matshikiza
Tel: (011) 355 1316
Cell: 082 778 9996
Tsheko Ratsheko
Tel: (011) 355 1907
Fax: (011) 333 0620
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Gauteng
Provincial Government
27 June 2006
