Nine abalone underworld suspects have been arrested after residents in Camps Bay blew the whistle on their illegal activities. This comes as the upmarket area has been flagged as a hotspot for marine poachers.
Also read: Suspect arrested in Constantia in R2 million abalone bust
Last week, law enforcement and the suburb’s Community Policing Forum (CPF), which includes the ward councillor, raised the alarm about increased poaching.
As a result, the CPF intends to create a City Improvement District (CID) to combat crime, including poaching.
Martin Steinau of the forum told IOL that they were working with the police and the security sector to keep criminals out of the sea and suburb.
‘We are grateful that law enforcement is taking the necessary proactive steps to clamp down on unlawful activities,’ Steinau said.
‘Camps Bay is currently in the process of trying to establish a CID. Should this be successful, the CID would come into operation in July.’
Cape {town} Etc discount: Appreciate the beauty of Cape Town with a 60-minute cruise for R155 (valued at R310). Get it here.
‘We have a very active and concerned community in Camps Bay that reports any suspicious behaviour via the neighbourhood watch (Camps Bay Watch) communication channels.
‘These sightings are immediately logged with the relevant role players who generally react very swiftly if resources are available.’
According to Steinau, a CID would significantly improve security.
‘A CID would have dedicated and paid for resources who are better positioned to co-ordinate and react to any unlawful activities in the area.
‘They would also consistently activate the relevant role players in a timely manner. As the CPF, we hope that this initiative comes to fruition because it will be an added security layer.
‘The CPF is pleased to have the Camps Bay SAPS acting station commander, a Captain Fortuin, back in the area. She recently took over from Captain Chandler who went into retirement.
‘We will be working closely with the Camps Bay SAPS, Law Enforcement, Metro, etc. to strengthen our approach to unlawful behaviour in the area.’
Whistleblowers, according to Nicola Jowell, councillor for Ward 54 of Camps Bay, led to the arrests in the last two weeks, according to the Weekend Argus.
‘Poaching is an ongoing concern in the area and anyone with detailed information to assist the authorities should contact SANParks or the SAPS to alert them,’ she said.
‘The City’s law enforcement officers and marine unit will continue to assist with preventative measures and operations to disrupt poaching activities.
Unleash your inner explorer with these incredible car deals, all priced under 100k. Find car listings here.
‘In the last two weeks, law enforcement has been involved in a number of good arrests and preventative actions.
‘In the most recent arrest, the Sea Point law enforcement team arrested a large group after a tip-off,’ Jowell said.
‘They were intercepted and were found in the possession of abalone and arrested.
‘There have also been two separate occasions in the last two weeks where vehicles believed to be connected to poaching have been stopped.
‘Operations with regard to poaching are ongoing.’
JP Smith, mayco member responsible for safety and security, recently stated that there was a long history of poaching and gang activity in Cape Town. Poaching operations, drug dealing, and gunfights were among them. It was linked to Asian black market demand for crayfish and abalone.
Also read:
Department officials receive sentences in abalone poaching case
Picture: Marcreation /Unsplash
