MOSSEL BAY NEWS - It was the vigilance of the Wildlife Crime Information Network (WCIN), with the help of Mossel Bay Municipality's Law Enforcement department that led to the finding of two suspected plant poachers in the Dana Bay area on Monday, 14 October.
WCIN's Leon Rossouw said he met with a municipality Waste Management official in the protected area next to Paradise Coast Beach and Eco Estate, off Flora Road, to point out the informal camps that were found during an anti-snare walk held two weeks before.
The Dana Bay Conservancy holds the anti-snare walks regularly in conjunction with WCIN to look for snares and evidence of possible poaching of fauna and flora. Dana Bay Conservancy chairperson Erika van der Westhuizen contacted the municipality after the walk to inform it of the camps and Rossouw then took the municipality's Waste Management official out to the camps.
Kept watch
While there, Rossouw kept watch for possible plant poaching activity. "As I was showing the official around, I saw two people walking into the protected area, towards the St Blaize trail. Rossouw walked in the direction of the St Blaize trail to see if he could find any evidence of snares or plant poaching.
Some of the bulbs found by WCIN’s Leon
Rossouw and Mossel Bay Municipal Law
Enforcement officer Rectory Mabunda.
"I looked for about an hour, when I saw the same two people not far from the St Blaize trail. They were going down in a ditch. I saw they had bags and a spade with them. I took some photos but had to leave for an urgent meeting. I immediately sent the information to Law Enforcement and when I came back from my meeting, I met with an officer and we were just in time to see the two people coming out of the protected area."
Rossouw and the officer then found the people in possession of 29 bulbs from four different species of plants. He said he consulted with CapeNature and the men were taken to the KwaNonqaba Police Station.
Arrested and charged
KwaNonqaba Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp said one of the suspects, aged 55, was arrested and charged with violation of the Environmental Conservation Act 73 of 1989. He said the man was found in possession of plants which were an endangered species, according to the CapeNature Conservation Act. He said the other suspect was a minor. The 55-year-old was fined but not detained.
The plants were taken to the KwaNonqaba Police
Station.
Van der Westhuizen said following multiple requests and queries from the Dana Bay community, she is currently in talks with CapeNature to have flora and fauna confiscated from people poaching plants in the area, to be replanted in Dana Bay instead of George. CapeNature's nearest branch is in George, so the flora is replanted there currently. Those who wish to learn more about sensitive plant species can consult CapeNature (044 802 5300/ 087 087 3037) for guidance and information.
Informal trading
The municipality noted: "People wishing to pursue informal trading, such as in public spaces, must apply through the municipality. Contact Samantha Gwoxa (044 606 5094 or sgwoxa@mosselbay.gov.za). Members of the public can report suspicious activity regarding fauna and flora to the municipality: call 044 606 5000 or email admin@mosselbay.gov.za or use the Collab Citizen app. Proof, including photographs, can be shared via email and videos can be sent via the app."
Rossouw urged the public to report any instances of wildlife crime. WCIN has established a hotline. WhatsApp or call WCIN (079 643 9556) or send an email to report@wcin.org.za. Information given will be treated as confidential.
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