Picture: Dagga found concealed in a courier vehicle/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
27 January 2026 – A multi-disciplinary team comprising of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, SANParks, Delivered Duty Unpaid and Customs, embarked on Operation Phakisa activities in the region of Namakwa from 22 until 26 January 2026.
The police said these targeted operations were executed with the aim of addressing criminal activities that are highly prevalent within the marine environment of the Northern Cape.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said the SAPS Specialised Units, including K9, Crime Intelligence, Radio Technical, Search and Rescue, Highway Patrol, Vehicle Crime Investigative Unit and Border Policing, in partnership with their counterparts from other departments, worked together in a concerted effort to conduct disruptive actions within the District of Namakwa during the operations.
Litabe said actions that were executed, included search operations, visits to launching pads, camping sites, mining areas, aquaculture farms, patrols and compliance inspections in Port Nolloth, Alexander Bay, Kleinzee, Groenriviermond, Sandkop/Rooikoppies and Hondeklipbaai.
“Two suspects were arrested for the contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 while nine fines to the value of R7200, were issued for the contravention of the National Traffic Act. Three fines amounting to R3 100 were issued for contravention of the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998.
“The operations also resulted in the seizure of Hydroponic dagga with an estimated street value of R336 000 that was found concealed in packages transported by a courier company. Other marine life seized, included undersized fish species to the value of R2000,” he said.
Litabe further said Vehicle Check Points (VCPs) also resulted in numerous vehicles and persons being stopped and searched. He added that sea patrols were also conducted along the shorelines of Port Nolloth and Alexander Bay by the SAPS Water wing.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the collaborative efforts by the different departments in an attempt to clamp down on marine related crimes and to stamp down the authority of the state along the shoreline and coastal areas of the province.
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