The anti-poaching campaign of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) reaped positive results this week when, together with various units of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Fisheries Control Officers (FCOs) arrested seven men and confiscated 26 429 units of abalone (3.2tons) in five different incidents of illegal poaching.
Considered the best week to date in this continuous campaign to protect our marine resources and arrest anyone who is involved in the illegal harvesting, processing, trade and transporting of our valuable resources – thus further depleting our stocks - DAFF will continue to work with all law-enforcement agencies in its efforts to thwart these criminal activities.
This morning police arrested a Chinese national when they busted a house in Milnerton and found 4 824 units of wet shucked abalone (around 424kg) and 328 units of dry abalone (around 100kg) in two freezers and plastic buckets.
Daniel Nieuwoudt appeared in the Hermanus Magistrate’s Court this morning after police noticed a car hidden amongst trees and bushes on the R43 near Gansbaai. On investigation they found around 3 346 units of wet shucked abalone (377kg) in various bags.
Two men ran away on Tuesday when they crashed their Isuzu double-cab into a house in Mount Pleasant, Hermanus, following a chase by members of the SAPS’ Tactical Response Team and FCOs. When searching the vehicle, the team found 3 410 units of wet shucked abalone (530kg) in the vehicle.
In what seems to be the largest find this year, five FCOs also confiscated 10 408 units of wet abalone (1 174.31kg) when they arrested Thembinkosi Mvimbi and his son Maxolisi last week Thursday. The Toyota Quantum they were in was hidden amongst bushes and trees on the Salmonsdampad outside Stanford. They appeared in the Hermanus Magistrate’s Court on Monday and will do so again on 7 August for a bail application; they remain in custody.
Members of the Western Cape Crime Intelligence and Flying Squad also arrested Vuyani Jobo, Sanele Mpati and Nyameko Tibisono at Canal Walk, Milnerton, last week Wednesday when they were found to be in possession of 4 315 units of wet shucked abalone (596,61kg). The VW-kombi they were travelling in was impounded and they appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court last Friday. They will appear again in the same court on 13 August 2012.
DAFF is very proud of the FCOs who are doing their work so diligently and commend the SAPS for their continued support in our efforts to curb illegal poaching. We will continue to work with all law-enforcement agencies as these successes could only be achieved through strengthened and solid working relationships with them and we call on communities and individuals to join this campaign.
For more information:
Lionel Adendorf, Director: Communication Services
Cell: 076 267 5838
Tel: 021 402 3555
