Shipwreck pillager pleads guilty, fined R10 000
A PORT Elizabeth salvage diver and boat skipper has become just the second person in South Africa to be convicted of illegally pillaging a shipwreck.
Cornelius “Jimmy” Uys , 51, and his son, Carl, 20, were arrested in March last year after they were caught red-handed while diving with pillaging equipment off the Queen’s Moor, which sank off Noordhoek on the outskirts of Algoa Bay in 1934.
Charges against Carl were later withdrawn while Uys yesterday pleaded guilty.
According to his attorney, Alwyn Griebenow, Uys agreed to a R10 000 fine and 24 months’ imprisonment, suspended for five years.
At the time of his arrest, police caught him with salvage equipment including a compressor, lifting bag, chains and other tools.
According to the plea agreement, Uys admitted to operating a vessel with false registration plates and not having safety or fitness certificates with regards to commercial operations.
He also did not have a per- mit prescribed under the National Heritage Resources Act.
“The accused admits his conduct at all times relevant to the charge sheet was illegal and intentional.
“The accused admits that at all times relevant to the charge sheet he knew and realised his conduct was wrongful and culpable,” the document said.
In the agreement, it was stated that both Uys and his son had since moved to Kleinbrak near Mossel Bay due to the police confiscating his boat and salvage equipment – which he used to work.
In September 2012, Uys – who at that time owned South Cape Salvage – was arrested with Blasting Eastern Cape owner Alan Withers and Coega Divers owner Paul du Rand, for pillaging metal from protected ships.
Last year, Du Rand became the first person in South Africa to be convicted under the National Heritage Resources Act. He received a suspended sentence.
Uys and Withers were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
It was alleged the men would remove parts with explosives and then sell them to scrap-metal dealers.
In 2012, a joint task team was established to protect shipwrecks from pillagers.
Any wreck site more than 60 years old is protected under the National Heritage Resources Act.