By Luvuyo Mjekula
The Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment deputy minister Narend Singh, has called for the swift prosecution of a motorist found in illegal possession of 640kg of dry abalone in Makhanda recently.
The 41-year-old man was found in possession of 27 black plastic bags containing a total of 13 661 dry abalone after being chased down and arrested by the police’s Grahamstown Highway Patrol and Grahamstown Crime Prevention Unit members on 5 August.
Sarah Baartman district police reported last week that at about 6pm on Monday, 5 August, members attached to the two police units were patrolling along the N2 when they noticed a white NP300 bakkie passing them in the opposite direction at a high speed.
“The members became suspicious and instinctively gave chase,” said district police spokesperson, Captain Marius McCarthy.
He said while giving chase near the Lothians gravel road, the vehicle suddenly stopped, and the driver (the only occupant of the vehicle) got out and started to run. Police ran after the suspect and managed to catch him.
Upon searching the vehicle, members found and confiscated 13 661 units of abalone together with the Nissan NP300 LDV as it was used in the commission of a crime.
The suspect is due to appear before the Grahamstown Magistrate’s Court on charges of possession of abalone.
McCarthy said “accurate instinct” of the members led to the recovery of the abalone with an estimated street value of more than R500 000.
Sarah Baartman District police commissioner, major general Zolani Xawuka, applauded the members for their vigilance, outstanding commitment and dedication.
In a statement this week, Singh also praised all the teams involved in the bust.
The Fisheries Management: Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) unit from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment based in Port Alfred was called out to Makhanda following the discovery of the poached abalone.
“We commend the DFFE MCS unit working together Saps for their vigilance and for ensuring that the confiscated abalone was safeguarded until it was weighed, tagged and transported to the departmental storage facilities,” said Singh.
He said the MCS unit would continue to work with law enforcement and other stakeholders to curb the illegal trade of marine living resources through Operation Phakisa’s Initiative 5 – Compliance and Enforcement.
The DFFE officials would also heighten participation in community awareness programmes by visiting schools to educate the youth on the sustainable utilisation of marine living resources.
“I urge every South African to be vigilant and report any environmental crimes to the authorities. It is crucial that our communities work hand in hand with law enforcement agencies to protect our marine resources,” Singh said.
