Hawks arrest five over illegal abalone processing in Gqeberha

Five suspects are due to appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court after the Hawks arrested them for running an illegal abalone drying and processing facility in Gqeberha, the Hawks said.

Police action and what was seized

The arrests took place on 24 June, the Hawks said. The suspects are aged between 20 and 36. Authorities seized 4,513 units of abalone, which the Hawks say are valued at R1,569,819.40.

The operation followed information about a suspicious house allegedly operating an illegal abalone facility and led investigators to an address on Marcon Road, Gqeberha, where the team found the processing site.

“The value of the seized abalone is R1,569,819.40. The team followed up on information about a suspicious house allegedly operating an illegal abalone facility. The pursuit led the team to the address along Marcon Road, Gqeberha, where an abalone facility was discovered.”

Agencies involved

The law enforcement action included the Bellville Hawks’ Economic Protected Resources (EPR) team, the Cape Town Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Crime Intelligence-Motherwell, and SAPS Mount Road.

“The Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Western Cape, Major General Mathipa Makgato, welcomed the arrests and said abalone is highly regulated in South Africa under the Marine Living Resources Act,” said Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani.

Hani added:

“Operating an abalone drying or processing facility without a permit constitutes a serious offense, often leading to charges of illegal possession, processing, and dealing in protected marine resources.”

Separate arrest linked to 2021 cash-in-transit robbery

In an unrelated matter, the Hawks arrested a 43-year-old suspect on 24 June in Knysna in connection with a cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery that occurred on 26 June 2021. The suspect will appear in the Knysna Regional Court on Friday on charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The Hawks said the 2021 incident involved a Fidelity security guard who was collecting cash at a supermarket on Long Street, near Woodmill Lane. During a struggle the guard was shot three times and died.

“The incident occurred on 26 June 2021 when the security guard was collecting cash at a supermarket on Long Street, near Woodmill Lane. During the ensuing struggle, the guard was shot three times and tragically passed away.”

According to the Hawks, an earlier arrest after the 2021 incident led to further arrests. The Hawks named Mzoxolo Bhushula, 28, as being arrested near Mossel Bay a few days after the robbery. They also named co-accused Masonwabe Yizana, 35; Ntobeko Mehlwana, 39; and Jeffrey Rumbu, 55. The Hawks said Rumbu was arrested on a warrant while detained at Knysna Correctional Services on an unrelated matter.

“Investigation led to the (first) suspect’s arrest a few days after the incident; police tracked the getaway vehicle using CCTV footage and arrested 28-year-old Mzoxolo Bhushula near Mossel Bay,” said Hani.

What happens next

The five suspects linked to the abalone facility are set to appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court on Friday. The 43-year-old suspect in the Knysna case will appear in the Knysna Regional Court on Friday.

The Hawks provided the information to the media through spokesperson Zinzi Hani.