Duo sentenced for the possession of illegal abalone

The Khayelitsha Priority Court sentenced two Chinese nationals on Monday for the illegal possession of abalone.

Officers executed a search warrant in Bellville and established that the premises was used as an illegal fish processing facility.

The duo entered into a plea agreement with the State.

The Western Cape spokesperson for the Hawks, Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani said they were arrested in October 2021.

“In October 2021, the members executed a search warrant at Welgemoed in Bellville. On arrival at the premises, it was established that the premises were being used as an illegal fish processing facility. They discovered and seized 11,321 units of dried abalone with an estimated value of approximately R6.5 million.

“Four suspects were arrested, two Chinese males and two Zimbabwean males who were found on the premises.

“They were eventually arrested and charged with operating an illegal fish processing establishment and the illegal possession of abalone,” Hani said.

All four suspects were granted bail.

The case against the Zimbabwean nationals, William Richard Munetsi, 30, and Talnaka Basierawere, 27, was postponed until May 9, for finalise a plea agreements in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act.

 

Done by: Alungile Njemla