A Ghanaian man, Sakyi Samuel (51), convicted and sentenced for the illegal possession of the endangered abalone (perlemoen) species, has avoided serving time in jail by opting to pay a hefty fine. The Bloemfontein Regional Court on Monday, 25 March, slapped the accused with the option of either serving a prison sentence or paying a fine.
Col Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the court sentenced Samuel to two years’ imprisonment with the option to pay a fine of R60 000. The accused was found guilty on the charge of illegally possessing an endangered species.
Mohobeleli said the accused opted to pay the amount in question immediately yesterday upon the court handing down the sentence, thus avoided a prison sentence. He said the Ghanian man was arrested on 18 May last year by members of the Kopanong police Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Bloemfontein Serious Organised Crime Investigation team.
Mohobeleli said the members secured a warrant to search a house in the Bloemfontein suburb of Bayswater where Samuel was caught red-handed in possession of this endangered species.
“Abalone with an estimated value of R314 755 was seized. Gas cylinders, buckets, fans, a scale, and other equipment used for processing abalone were found on the premises, resulting in his arrest,” said Mohobeleli. He said Maj. Gen. Mokgadi Bokaba, provincial head of the Hawks, has applauded the team for their investigation and work that culminated in the successful prosecution and sentencing of Samuel.
