Suspected poachers arrested in Western Cape

South African National Parks (SANParks) arrested 13 poachers within one week during their Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) anti-crime and poaching operations.

The TMNP Park Manager, Mr Frans van Rooyen congratulated rangers and stakeholders who managed to arrest and detain the poachers in separate incidents in the past week of November 2020.

This according to Van Rooyen who said the first group of five poachers were arrested on Thursday, November 19, in the Kommetjie area following a joint operation between TMNP rangers together with the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement officials.

Thirteen units of abandoned abalone (amount undisclosed), and 10 west coast rock lobster, along with diving gear were confiscated during the operation.

He said the second group of three were arrested in the Hout Bay area on Friday, November 20, as a result of a joint crime prevention operation between the South African Police Services (SAPS) sea border and diving unit, and the SANParks Environment Crime Investigation (ECI) unit.

The group were found in possession of 86 abalone units of an undisclosed amount, and diving gear which was confiscated.

Lastly, following another joint operation patrol along Platboom, just north of the Cape of Good Hope Road, rangers from the TMNP and the ECI apprehended five poachers in possession of 38 units of abalone on Saturday November 21.

‘We urge our surrounding communities to continue helping us in a fight to curb crime within and around Table Mountain National Park. Congratulations to the entire SANParks team and stakeholders and we thank you for your dedication, obedience and tenacity and we wish you a successful festive season ahead,’ concluded Van Rooyen.