Tag Archives: Groenrivier

Illicit cigarettes worth R69 000 seized

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Picture: Police seized illicit cigarettes during raid/Generic

By BAKANG MOKOTO

27 October 2025- The police said the law enforcement agencies took decisive action against criminality through the implementation of Operation Phakisa across the coastal areas of the Namakwa District from 22 until 26 October 2025. The police said the focused disruptive actions were conducted in Port Nolloth, Kleinzee, Hondeklip Bay, Groenrivier, and Alexander Bay.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said several South African Police Service Specialised Units, in collaboration with officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Department of Home Affairs, Customs, the South African National Defence Force and San Parks, initiated a collaborative intervention to address criminal activities affecting the marine environment.

Ehlers said this multi-disciplinary operation resulted in the arrest of nine individuals for the contravention of the Immigration Act and fines, totalling R6750, were issued for violations of the Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996.

“Disruptive actions carried out during the operation included the searching of vessels, stop and search actions, high-visibility foot and vehicle patrols and Vehicle Check Points (VCPs). In total, 354 individuals and 183 vehicles were thoroughly searched.

“Compliance inspections were also conducted at harbours, launching sites, fish processing establishments, restaurants and campgrounds to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations. Seizures included hydro dagga with an estimated value of R36 000 and illicit cigarettes valued at about R69 693.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, reaffirmed that the continued success of such operations relies on sustained collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the community.  Otola assured the public that decisive action will remain focused on combating priority crimes as well as protecting the fauna and flora of the Namakwa region, specifically and thereby strengthening the safety and security within affected communities.

“Information can be shared anonymously via the MySAPS app or by contacting the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111,” she said.

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One person nabbed for Contravention of the Immigration Act  

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Picture: One person nabbed during Operation Phakisa/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

29 September 2025- The Law enforcement stepped up the battle against marine related crimes through the implementation of Operation Phakisa across the coastal areas of the Namakwa District from 24 until 28 September 2025. Targeted operations were conducted in Port Nolloth, Kleinzee, Hondeklip Bay, Koingnaas, Groenrivier, Waterfall, Brazil and Alexander Bay.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said several South African Police Service (SAPS) units, in collaboration with officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Department of Home Affairs, Customs, Traffic and SANParks, executed a coordinated response to address criminal activities affecting the marine environment.

Ehlers said this multi-agency operation resulted in the arrest of one individual for the contravention of the Immigration Act and fines, totalling R15 400 were issued.

“Offences included violations of the Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, and breaches of the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998. Disruptive actions carried out during the operation included stop-and-search actions, high-visibility foot and vehicle patrols, and vehicle check points. In total, 322 individuals and 151 vehicles were thoroughly searched.

“Seizures included limpets, fish fillets, mussels and tools believed to be used in the commission of crimes to the estimated value of R3 340. Compliance inspections were also conducted at harbours, launching sites, slipways, fish processing establishments, restaurants and campgrounds to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, reaffirmed that the continued success of such operations relies on sustained collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the community.  Otola assured the public that decisive action will remain focused on combating marine-related crimes and also protecting the fauna and flora of the Namakwa region specifically and thereby strengthening the safety and security within affected communities.

“Information can be shared anonymously via the MySAPS app or by contacting the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111,” said Ehlers.

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Police to address marine-related crimes

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Picture: The police during illegal mining operationSupplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

17 June 2025 – The police in Northern Cape said they will remain resolute in addressing marine-related criminal activities with the ongoing execution of Operation Phakisa across the coastal regions of the Namakwa District. The police said between 12 and 16 June 2025, coordinated and focused operations were executed in Port Nolloth, Kleinzee, Hondeklip Bay, Groenrivier, Rooiklippies, Brazil, and Alexander Bay.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Ivan Magerman said these operations were jointly conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in collaboration with officials from the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and SANParks.

Magerman said the multi-agency approach ensured a unified and effective response to criminal threats affecting marine ecosystems.

“Key outcomes of the operation included the arrest of two undocumented individuals, one arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and the recovery of a stolen vehicle.

“Enforcement of the Road Traffic Act (Act 93 of 1996) resulting in 27 traffic fines issued amounting to R14 600, detection of multiple violations of the Marine Living Resources Act (Act 18 of 1998),” he said.

Magerman further said operational activities encompassed high-visibility patrols, both on foot and in vehicles, stop-and-search interventions, and coastal patrols. He added that a total of 431 individuals and 227 vehicles were thoroughly searched during the operation.

“Compliance inspections were also carried out at various sites, including harbours, boat launching points, camping grounds, fish vendors and two mining locations, to ensure adherence to all relevant laws and regulations,” said Magerman.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended all participating departments and agencies for their dedication and collaborative efforts in protecting the province’s marine and coastal resources. Otola further called on members of the public to support law enforcement initiatives by reporting any suspicious or illegal marine-related activities.

“Information can be reported anonymously via the MySAPS App or the SAPS Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111,” he said.

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Eight undocumented suspects nabbed during Operation Phakisa 

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Picture: The Northern Cape police conduct stop and search in various areas/Supplied 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

Eight undocumented persons Were arrested for Contravention of the Immigration Act. The suspects were nabbed during the multi-disciplinary operation known as Operation Phakisa that was executed in Port Nolloth, Kleinsee, Groenrivier, Alexander Bay and Hondeklipbay between 20 and 23 June 2024. 

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said the operations focused on illegal activities in relation to marine related crimes by monitoring and ensuring strict compliance of the prescribed ranching, fishing and harvesting regulations, as well as addressing the proliferation of drugs, firearms and prevention of undocumented immigrants.

Kock said the operations were executed by teams from different departments and relevant stakeholders, including South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs Unit, SAN Parks, the Department of Mineral and Resources and the Department of Agriculture Environmental Affairs Rural Development and Land Reform. 

“Actions and activities executed during the commencement of the operations include, compliance inspections, vehicle check points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, raids at identified houses for illegal drugs, firearms and other commodities smuggling.

“Four vehicle check points (VCPs) were conducted on the Port Nolloth/ Kleinzee and Port Nolloth/Alexander Bay roads during which vehicles and persons were stopped and searched. Numerous operational successes were achieved, including fishing permits that were inspected at harbours, camping sites and launching pads,” he said. 

Kock said they were visited by the multi-disciplinary law enforcement officials for which fines to the value of R6000 were issued for the Contravention of the Marine Living Resources Act and also confiscated illicit cigarettes worth approximately R41 000.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola reiterated that the police in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, will continue unabated to ensure that the sea environment and marine resources is protected and remains safe and secure.

Otola said the police will continue to ensure that they combat all illegal and unregulated activities along the coastal areas in the province.

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