Cops, officials in perly bust
SUSPECT: Preston Julies SUSPECT: Preston Julies
Nine cops and two officials from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) were among a ring of 17 people arrested on charges of corruption and poaching.
The group appeared in the Hermanus Magistrate's Court on following their arrest in Gansbaai on Monday.
The massive breakthrough follows a two-year investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks), the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), DAFF, and Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Task Team.
Among those arrested were nine marine inspectors from the local DAFF offices and eight members of an alleged perly syndicate, including two women.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Philani Nkwalashe says the officials sold confiscated abalone to the syndicates.
“They face an assortment of charges ranging from corruption, defeating the ends of justice and racketeering,” Nkwalashe says.
“The charges stem from an alleged abalone syndicate operating in the Gansbaai, Hermanus, Hawston, Stanford, Bredasdorp, Buffeljags, Pearly Beach and Kuils River areas.”
SCANDAL: Dept of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
It has been alleged the DAFF employees resold seized abalone to poaching syndicates.
“During the arrests, an undisclosed amount of cash was recovered at the premises of one of the suspects, while in another, an illegal firearm was recovered,” Nkwalashe said.
“DAFF officials allegedly aided abalone poachers by selling back abalone seized during their daily routine and were further escorting illegal abalone shipments.”
The marine Inspectors are Zihle Diko, 38, Winston Mervin Busch, 36, Craven Siyabulela Mxaku, 42, Linda Nkeleni, 42, John Karelse, 48, Allistair Maans, 42, Nomvuyo Concellia Motloung, 43, Adam Baadjies, 36, and Rudolph Louw, 35.
The syndicate members are Richard George Malan, 49, Dennis John Swartz, 37, Donovan Williams, 33, Eugene Herandien, 44, Courtley May, 41, Solomon Sauls, 45, Frederick Myburgh, 46, and Preston Julies, 48.
ARRESTS: DAFF's own are suspected of corrupt dealings
Meanwhile, Ronnie Morne Wildschutt, 36, Daphne Cecilia Malan, 33, were arrested during the same sting operation albeit in an unrelated case of possession of illegal firearm.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila says the arrest is a huge breakthrough for authorities in protecting South Africa’s valuable perlemoen industry.
He said bail will be opposed.
“They are facing seven charges which emanate from 40 incidents that happened between 12 September 2016 and 20 November 2016,” he explained.
“The first nine accused are inspectors employed by DAFF. Warrants of arrests have also been issued for three people expected to joined the same case.”
The matter has been postponed to 14 March for a bail application.