Rangers from Table Mountain National Park and police arrested suspects in a series of joint operations that targeted people using mountain routes to commit burglaries and to remove illegal abalone from coastal waters, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The coordinated actions, carried out early on 25 January, followed intelligence that linked suspects to a string of house break-ins and to marine poaching activities.
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‘Intelligence indicated the suspects were using mountain routes to access and flee residential areas,’ said SANParks spokesperson Lauren Howard Clayton, describing a Vredehoek operation that led to two arrests and the recovery of stolen property. She added that K9 Leah assisted during an apprehension (2OceansVibe).
In a separate marine operation at Smitswinkel Bay, officials arrested a suspect found with multiple bags of illegal abalone and diving equipment. Authorities opened a case and handed the suspect to Simon’s Town police for further investigation.
One suspect was arrested and found in possession of:
- 11 bags of illegal abalone
- 72 whole abalone
- 1150 shucked abalone, along with diving equipment
‘The suspect was handed over to Simon’s Town SAPS, where a case was opened,’ SANParks noted in a statement.
The size of the seizure underlines the ongoing threat that abalone poaching poses to coastal biodiversity and community safety.
SANParks urged hikers, residents and visitors to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity to the South African Police Service or to the park.
Reporting, officials said, helps protect both communities and the park’s marine and terrestrial resources. For urgent concerns contact your nearest police station or SANParks channels.
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