Media Release: Tsitsikamma National Park staff member arrested for suspected abalone poaching

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Date: 9th December 2005

A Tsitsikamma National Park staff member suspected of assisting with abalone poaching activities in Natures Valley was arrested on 4 December 2005.

A Tsitsikamma National Park staff member suspected of assisting with abalone poaching activities in Natures Valley was arrested on 4 December 2005, in a joint operation between the South African Police Services and South African National Parks (SANParks) in Plettenberg Bay, after an undercover operation. The suspect is currently held in custody.

The suspect was charged with corruption, illegal possession and transport of abalone.

“South African National Parks has long adopted a zero tolerance approach for all and any poaching activities within national parks,” commented Wanda Mkutshulwa, SANParks Head of Communications. 

Mkutshulwa went on to say that “this arrest was made possible because of the integrated and co-ordinated collaboration between the South African Police Services and SANParks”. 

“SANParks undertakes to take swift action against anyone caught poaching, whether they are staff members or not,” she concluded.

… Ends…

Issued by: South African National Parks

Enquiries:
wanda mkutshulwa
Head of Communications: South African National Parks
Tel: 012 426 5201
Cell: 082 908 2692
E-mail wandam@sanparks.org