TMNP operations led to multiple arrests linked to burglaries and illegal abalone poaching during a coordinated weekend crackdown in Cape Town. Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), working closely with law enforcement partners, recorded a successful operational weekend that resulted in multiple arrests linked to house burglaries and illegal poaching activities. In Vredehoek, a planned joint operation involving the TMNP Sea, Air and Mountain (SEAM) Unit, the TMNP K9 Unit, South African National Parks rangers, a private landowner and the South African Police Service (SAPS) led to the arrest of two suspects connected to a series of residential burglaries.
SANParks said intelligence indicated the suspects were using mountain routes to access and flee nearby neighbourhoods. During an early morning operation on January 25, both suspects were apprehended in possession of stolen property, with TMNP K9 Leah assisting in one of the arrests. SAPS has since linked the suspects to multiple burglary cases in the Vredehoek area.
In a separate operation at Smitswinkel Bay, TMNP SEAM and K9 units responded to reports of illegal diving activity. One suspect was arrested and found in possession of 11 bags of illegal abalone, including 72 whole abalone and approximately 1,150 shucked abalone, along with diving equipment. The suspect was handed over to Simon’s Town SAPS, where a case was opened.
Read Full Article on Cape Argus
