Authorities apprehended two suspects over the weekend for the illegal possession and trade of West Coast rock lobsters, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The arrests form part of a larger crackdown on poaching and illicit dealings along the Cape Town coastline, coinciding with a rise in such activities as warmer weather approaches.
On Saturday, 27 September 2025, officers from the Law Enforcement Marine Unit acted on a tip-off regarding a suspect hoarding a significant quantity of rock lobster tails at a residence in Ravensmead. The operation led to the swift arrest of a 47-year-old man found in possession of 420 lobster tails.
The following day, authorities were once again on the frontline of enforcement when they intercepted a suspect trading rock lobster without a permit at Hout Bay Harbour.
This 45-year-old individual was found with 192 rock lobsters and subsequently detained at Hout Bay SAPS. Both arrests highlight the ongoing battle against the illegal harvesting of marine resources.
Mayco for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, emphasised the importance of community involvement in combating these crimes. ‘Pilfering of our marine resources is an ongoing problem and often it is linked to other illicit dealings,’ he stated.
‘Our Marine Unit staff work closely with other agencies to police our coastline and the waters around Cape Town. I want to thank the members of the public who were involved in making these arrests happen,’
As the summer months draw near, Smith warns that incidents of poaching could escalate significantly.
He urged the public to report any suspected illegal activities and to refrain from purchasing illegally harvested marine resources, highlighting that such actions only exacerbate the problem.
In addition to these marine-related operations, law enforcement officers made a total of 218 arrests across various law enforcement activities over the past week. This included 149 arrests for a variety of transgressions, along with the issuance of 5 893 fines.
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The metro police were active as well, detaining 45 individuals, 10 of whom were charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. During this period, authorities also confiscated numerous drugs, weapons and ammunition.
Traffic officers recorded 43 365 offences on the roads, leading to the impound of 165 public transport vehicles and the execution of 1 629 warrants of arrest. Among the 24 suspects arrested in traffic-related incidents, 13 were charged with driving under the influence, while others faced charges for reckless and negligent driving.
Reflecting on the weekend’s events, the Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) reported 1 610 incidents, showcasing the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement amid rising crime rates.
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Picture: City of Cape Town
Source: City of Cape Town
