Routine patrol leads to arrest of three suspects in abalone poaching

Three suspects arrested for conspiracy to commit abalone poaching

Three men have been arrested after members of the SAPS Humansdorp K9 Unit uncovered suspected abalone-poaching equipment during a routine patrol along the N2 near Jeffreys Bay on Tuesday, 18 November 2025.

According to police, officers were conducting standard patrol duties when they noticed a suspicious Opel Astra travelling along the national road. The vehicle was pulled over for inspection, and a search was conducted.

Inside the car, officers reportedly found several bags containing diving gear and specialised tools commonly used in illegal abalone harvesting. All items were confiscated and handed over for further processing as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police confirmed that the following equipment was seized:

• Seventeen (17) diving goggles

• Five (05) torches

• Seventeen (17) pairs of diving boots

• Seventeen (17) pairs of flippers

• Fourteen (14) backpacks

• Fourteen (14) waist bags

• Seventeen (17) chucking tools

The Opel Astra used by the suspects was also impounded as part of the investigation.

The three male occupants, aged between 30 and 50, were arrested for contravening the Marine Living Resources Act (Act 18 of 1998). They also face an additional charge under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (POCA), Act 121 of 1998, relating to the alleged involvement in organised criminal activity.

Illegal abalone harvesting remains one of the major environmental and organised-crime challenges affecting coastal regions in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, with syndicates often operating in structured groups equipped with specialised diving tools.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court soon. Authorities say investigations are continuing.