Operation targets marine crimes
A COLLABORATION between provincial law enforcement and government saw a clamp down on the illicit trade of endangered and vulnerable marine animals sourced along the Northern Cape’s coastline, as Operation Phakisa continued.
According to police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Dimakatso Mooi, a total of 23 fines were issued for marine-related crimes, including fishing without a permit; possession of fish without a permit; possession of crayfish; collecting, possession and exceeding the bag limit for shellfish; as well as contravention of the Road Traffic Act (RTA), over the course of the three-day operation in Port Nolloth that concluded on Saturday.
As a presidential operation, Phakisa aims to curb, combat and prevent marine-related crimes committed around the sea borders of South Africa.
Some of the activities that were carried out included compliance inspections, both at the seaside and inland, stop and searches, foot, vehicle, vessel and aerial patrols as well as policing in general.
“Members of the SAPS and various departments, including the State Security Agency (SSA), Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Environment and Nature Conservation, as well as Home Affairs, restored order to the waters of Port Nolloth when those contravening the Marine Act were hit very hard with the fines,” Mooi said yesterday.
“Others were caught driving without a driver’s licence, driving a vehicle with worn out tyres, driving a vehicle with a learner driver’s licence without supervision and a range of other crimes.”
Mooi added that a Nigerian national was among those arrested on suspicion of dealing in illegal medicines and/or substances after he was found with R3 070 worth of illicit lotion.
“Four more suspects were arrested for drinking in public and issued with a R100 fine each. The Nigerian national will be making his first appearance in court in Port Nolloth soon.
“Goods to the value of R4 000 were confiscated and they included 81kg of hake, half a dozen snoek and eight rock lobsters.”
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in the Northern Cape applauded the good work done by members and said that he was amazed by the level of commitment shown by the other departments involved in the operation.