R240,000 Worth Of Abalone Seized, Nine Suspects Arrested In Jeffreys Bay

On Tuesday, 19 November 2024, a joint operation led by the Kouga Abalone Task Team resulted in the seizure of abalone valued at R240,000 and the arrest of nine suspects, aged between 17 and 44, in Jeffreys Bay.

The operation, targeting known abalone poaching hotspots in Paradise Beach, involved members from Jeffreys Bay SAPS, Humansdorp Stock Theft Unit, Humansdorp K9 Unit, Law Enforcement, Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, along with Paradise Beach Neighbourhood Watch and private security companies.

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Covert Surveillance and Abalone Seized

During their surveillance, the task force observed suspicious activities involving vehicles and individuals on the beach, where abalone was being assembled for pick-up. A coordinated plan was executed, and as the abalone was being collected and transported, the task force intervened, leading to a high-speed chase.

The operation culminated in the arrest of nine male suspects and the recovery of 1,000 units of abalone and diving equipment. Additionally, two vehicles used in the commission of the crime were confiscated.

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Legal Proceedings

The suspects are scheduled to appear before the Humansdorp Magistrate Court. Major General Zolani Xawuka, the Sarah Baartman District Commissioner, commended the dedicated team for their successful execution of the Safer Festive Season Operational Plan.

“This operation sends a clear message to poachers that we will be vigilant in policing criminal activities on our beaches during the festive season and beyond,” Major General Xawuka stated.

In an unrelated incident, KwaZulu-Natal police have uncovered a warehouse in Bluff, south of Durban, which was storing and selling expired food items and counterfeit goods allegedly imported from other countries.

Officials have stated that while it is not clear which countries the goods originated from, it is believed that they were shipped into South Africa. The items discovered include food, drinks, medication, and cosmetics. Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli was present at the scene.

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