GQEBERHA – Illegal abalone dealers were once again dealt another blow when SAPS members nabbed two suspects and confiscated abalone worth approximately R340,000 in KwaZakhele on Friday, 29 August.
According to SAPS spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, on the abovementioned date at approximately 14:00, SAPS KwaZakhele members followed up on information and while en route to Meke Street, they noticed a group of people coming out of a container at Paarl Street, Greenfields, who then ran in different directions.
“SAPS members immediately reacted and caught two suspects inside the container. During the search of the container, they found 20 bags containing abalone,” she said.
Janse Van Rensburg added that a total of 338.3kg of wet abalone with an estimated value of R340,000 was confiscated. “The two suspects aged 31 and 35 years were detained on charges of contravention of the Marine Living Resource Act, 19 of 1998 Regulation 36 sub section 1 – illegal possession of abalone and illegal immigrant contravening Section 9(1) of Act 13/2002.”
They will appear in the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 1 September.
The Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Major General Vuyisile Ncata, reiterated that illegal abalone activities are a huge concern and commended SAPS members for their alertness in nabbing these smugglers. “The poaching of these molluscs can have a significantly negative impact on the endangered species, so efforts to apprehend those involved are crucial.
“By apprehending abalone poachers, our officials are not only upholding the law but also sending a strong message that illegal activities like this will not be tolerated,” concluded Major General Ncata.
