Update
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Two women were recently found guilty of and sentenced for the possession of protected and endangered species of flora, which had been confiscated from a container in KwaNonqaba during a joint intelligence-driven operation on 4 and 5 June last year.
Scebile Duma (27) and Balungile Mthwane (53) were arrested after a total of 2 641 plants, 516 of which belong to 16 different endangered species, had been discovered in the container in Centurion Street.
Mossel Bay Advertiser previously reported that the teams involved in this operation included the Wildlife Crime Information Network (WCIN); the police's stock theft and endangered species (Stes) units of Worcester, Oudtshoorn and Beaufort West; CapeNature; SANParks; Mossel Bay Municipality's law enforcement and the Garden Route Botanical Garden in George.
The sentencing took place in the Mossel Bay Regional Court late in May. Duma and Mthwane were both sentenced to two years' imprisonment, of which one year is suspended for a period of five years, or to pay a fine of R10 000.
Leon Rossouw of WCIN, who was present during the operation, welcomed the conviction and sentencing.
"This collaboration demonstrates the importance of intelligence-led investigations and partnerships between conservation agencies and law enforcement in combatting environmental crime," said Rossouw.
Previous article: 2 461 plants, plus animal skins seized
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