Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
A 28-year-old Zimbabwean and a Chinese accomplice are in trouble after they were busted by South Africa’s organised crime unit, the Hawks, on Monday over an illegal deal involving dried abalone worth nearly R10 million.
The duo, whose names are still being withheld pending further investigations, were found in possession of 70 boxes of dried abalone in the Western Cape.
Trading of Abalone shellfish, which is regarded as an endangered species, is prohibited in most Sadc countries.
The shellfish is a unique type of snail classified under the gastropod phylum-Mollusca and is often referred to as the sea ear because of its flattened shape. This type of seafood is considered a delicacy in Asia.
Hawks’ spokesperson for Western Cape Ms Zinzi Hani said the two have been charged for possession and transporting of illegal abalone in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998.
She said they appeared before the Atlantis Magistrates’ Court where the matter was postponed to May 26 for formal bail application.
“The two accused persons remain in custody,” said Ms Hani.
“They were arrested after members of our Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Crime Intelligence, and officials from the Department of Environmental Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) acted on information concerning the transportation of illegal abalone”.
She said two accused persons were travelling in a Hino truck and a white Audi along the N7 highway and heading towards Malmesbury.
Ms Hani said the two men were stopped at a service station in Philadelphia for searches leading to the discovery of the dried abalone which was hidden in a false compartment beneath.
The Hino truck, she said, was driven by the Zimbabwean while the Chinese drove the Audi.
“The two vehicles were searched leading to the discovery of dried abalone in a hidden compartment underneath the Hino truck.
“The vehicles were then taken to Philadelphia Police Station for further investigation, where it was discovered that the 70 boxes contained 23 896 dried abalone with an estimated street value of R9,9 million,” she said.
In the last five years, six people have been arrested by SAPS smuggling the shellfish to either Botswana, Zimbabwe or Mozambique.
A few weeks ago, Limpopo police arrested three men transporting abalone shellfish worth R7 Million to a yet unidentified destination via Beitbridge Port of Entry.
Boitumelo Rasakanya (26), Merven Phiri (33) and Jack Kgobe (36) were intercepted on 31 January near the City of Polokwane traveling in a grey NP200 pick-up truck.
The trio was arrested during an Intelligence-led Joint operation while transporting 37 boxes full of abalone with the estimated value of R7 million which were laden in the pick-up truck. — @tupeyo
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