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The DA in the Western Cape welcomes the arrest of two alleged abalone poachers near Graaff-Reinet, who were caught with R3.3 million worth of the endangered marine snails.

This abalone was most likely poached from the Overberg region of the Western Cape, with two people in Cape Town also arrested in connection with the incident.

What is needed now is a thorough investigation to uncover the extent of the operation, which was making enough money that it could afford a Porsche Cayenne as a delivery vehicle, and possible connections to international smuggling syndicates.

Furthermore, it is of the utmost importance that people found guilty of abalone poaching and smuggling are properly sentenced, as this is a key way of showing other potential poachers that this serious offence will also have serious consequences.

MPP Andricus van der Westhuizen: “The DA supports the fight against abalone poaching, inter alia as it is related to much of the other criminality plaguing our seaside communities. I will be writing to the Minister of Community Safety and Police Oversight Reagan Allen to make sure that his department keeps a close eye on this case, to ensure that the correct procedure is followed, and justice is served.

The poaching of our abalone has led to the near extinction of this species in the sea, with the very real possibility that the next generation will never even see one in its natural habitat. We must make a stand now and ensure that transgressors feel the consequences of their actions.”

Issued by Andricus van der Westhuizen, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning