Suspected succulent plant poachers caught in the act

On Tuesday, 01 March 2022 the long arm of the law reached four suspected succulent plant poachers, when they were spotted at Ratelgat on the N7 by members of Afriforum, Nuwerus.

Members of Nuwerus SAPS, Malmesbury Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STES), and Cape Nature responded to the information and apprehended the four suspects aged between 22 and 40 carrying two bags. Upon searching the bags the members found an undisclosed amount of endangered succulent plants in the bags.

The suspects appeared in the Vredendal Magistrates court on Wednesday 02 March 2022 and the matter was postponed until 09 March 2022 for a formal bail application.

In an unrelated matter members of the Worcester, K9 Unit found a 9mm pistol abandoned in the Bloedriver squatter camp, Roodewal, Worcester. The members utilized the explosive dog Nick to search for firearms when he responded positively to the odor of ammunition. No arrests were made and an inquiry file was opened for investigation.