The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape welcomes the arrest of 2 suspects on Wednesday, 25 September 2019, for running an illicit abalone drying facility in Plattekloof, Cape Town. The abalone found had an estimated street value of R3.6 million.
The two suspects were also charged with being in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. According to the recent Annual National Crime Statistics, 13 of the top 30 stations which report illegal possession of firearms and ammunition are located in the Western Cape.
MPP Reagen Allen said: “Pending the availability of Western Cape Police Ombudsman, a report regarding poor SAPS performance on abalone poaching will be presented to the Standing Committee on Community Safety on the 17th of October 2019, to ensure that recommendations made by the Ombudsman’s Report, are thoroughly executed by the Department of Community Safety.”
Abalone poaching has a strong, irrefutable link to gansterism, drugs, and crime. Arrests made in this regard have the possibility to unveil crime syndicates and bring us a step closer to ensuring that we make the Western Cape a safer place for every community.
MPP Reagen Allen added: “We would like to thank the Hawks, Cape Town’s K9 unit as well as officials from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for their swift and thorough investigation which led to these arrests.”
