Major abalone poaching arrests in the Western Cape welcomed by Minister Dr Dion George
Nine suspects are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, September 25, on charges under the Maritime Act.
This follows the arrest of the group on Tuesday, September 23, near Robben Island.
The Western Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, said an integrated operation involving the SAPS Drone Unit, SAPS Dives, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, and other law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrest of nine suspects.
“Faced with challenging circumstances, the SAPS Drone Unit was called in to support the operation. A drone was deployed from one of the vessels and, working in conjunction with the divers, played a key role in tracking and apprehending the suspects, as well as in the recovery of poaching equipment,” Twigg said.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, welcomed the disruption of the large-scale illegal abalone poaching.
“Criminal syndicates must know that South Africans do not tolerate lawlessness and the misuse of our natural assets – those who exploit our natural resources will face the full consequences of the law,” said Minister George. “These arrests, and other recent ones, are indicative of our ongoing conservation efforts supported by stronger, tactical law enforcement,” George said.
He also welcomed the arrest of two suspects in Rawsonville in the Western Cape on Monday, after R3.3 million abalone was seized.
Police said an intelligence-driven operation between Breederiver K9 Unit and Sea Fisheries led to the seizure of abalone in Rawsonville on Monday afternoon, September 22, 2025.
“The members gathered information about a truck that is en route to Cape Town with abalone. The members stopped the truck at the weighbridge on the N1, Rawsonville, and conducted a search and found 13,341 units of abalone with an estimated value of R3.3 million. An adult male and female were arrested for the possession of abalone. Once charged, the suspects will appear in the Worcester Magistrates’ court on the mentioned charge,” Twigg said.
Minister George has called on the public to join hands in the fight against illegal activity by reporting any suspicious activities to DFFE authorities at 086 111 2468 or cscenquries@dffe.gov.za or any other law enforcement authority.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
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