A poacher has been convicted in the Kuils River Magistrates’ Court for stealing 104 indigenous plants from Bracken Nature Reserve in Brackenfell.

Ashley Dirkse was convicted on Wednesday 21 October for poaching the plants on 20 May 2024. The targeted species were Drimia elata, commonly known as ‘Jeukbol,’ a bulbous perennial flowering plant, and Pelargonium triste, or ‘Kaneeltjie’, a tuberous perennial flowering plant.

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Sentence and disqualification

According to a joint statement from the City of Cape Town and Cape Nature, Dirkse was sentenced to a fine of R80 000 or two years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, on condition that he is not convicted of any plant-related offence during this period. The court also disqualified him for three years from obtaining any authorisation, licence or permit to enter protected areas or nature reserves in the Western Cape, or any permit authorising the picking of flora in the province.

“We are very grateful that the poached plants and bulbs were returned and replanted in the Bracken Nature Reserve,” said Eddie Andrews, Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment. “I want to remind the public that it is a crime to remove any plants, animals, rocks, shells, or any natural specimen from our reserves, coastline, and protected areas.”

Andrews thanked reserve staff who testified in court and said he hoped the conviction would send a strong message to poachers.

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Joint enforcement effort

The conviction followed collaboration between the City of Cape Town, CapeNature, Brackenfell police, the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit of the police in Kuils River, and the National Prosecuting Authority.

CapeNature commended the officials and prosecutors involved and said the outcome demonstrated the value of coordinated investigation, conservation expertise and prosecution in addressing biodiversity crime.

Removing plants from the wild can undermine plant populations, disturb habitat and compromise the ecological integrity of conservation areas, which have been established to protect and conserve the natural environment.

Reporting biodiversity crime

The public is urged to report suspected plant poaching to the police and the relevant conservation authority. Visitors to protected areas may not remove plants or plant parts without a lawful permit.

Anyone wishing to report biodiversity crime can contact their nearest police station, CapeNature on 087 087 9262, or the Crime Stop Tip-Off Line on 08600 10 111.

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