By REGINALD KANYANE
18 November 2024- More than 121 persons and 86 vehicles have been stopped and searched during coastal and beach patrols. In Hondeklipbaai, a man was fined R8000, for being in possession of West Coastal Rock Lobster (WCRL) during the closed season.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said fines valued at R3000, were issued for contravening the Marine Living Resources Act in Alexander Bay, Port Nolloth, and Lutzville. Shemane said the Department of Forestry and Fisheries and Environment released two ocean species back into the sea in Lutzville and issued fines.
“Various fines amounting to R6400, were issued for Contravening the Road Traffic Act. The multi-disciplinary intelligence driven teams confiscated and seized fillet slender tuna, fillet Ruhi fish, talapia, snoek, expired food products, and West Coastal Rock Lobster with a total value of R17 100.
“This was done in collaborative approach between SAPS Provincial Operational Response Service (ORS), Provincial Border Policing, Border Policing, SAPS Search and Rescue, Springbok K9 and Springbok Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU), Springbok CI (Crime Intelligence),” he said.
Shemane further said this included the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), South African National Parks (SANPARK) and Customs. He added that all stakeholders executed the four-day Operation Phakisa in Alexander Bay, Lutzville, Hondeklipbaai and Port Nolloth from 14 until 17 November 2024.
“The visits, searches, and compliance inspections of fishing permits, were conducted at fish shops and restaurants, businesses, harbours, launching pads, camp sites, mining areas, and aquaculture sites,” said Shamane.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the collaboration between the different departments in the fight against marine related crimes along our coastal border lines. Otola said members of the public are encouraged to report any criminal activities through the MySAPS app or crime stop number 0800 10111.
The Guardian 