Three foreigners are set to appear in court on Tuesday following a significant abalone bust in the Western Cape. The arrests occurred after police conducted a raid on a property in Rylands, Cape Town, uncovering abalone and processing equipment valued at approximately R10.3 million. The operation, carried out by a Tactical Response Team (TRT), targeted an alleged abalone storage facility based on received intelligence. The suspects include a 53-year-old Chinese national and two Zimbabweans, aged 28 and 31.
According to police spokesperson Lt-Col Malcolm Pojie, the operation began when officers noticed a suspect at the entrance of the premises attempting to flee. Upon further investigation, police discovered a large storage facility that had been converted for processing abalone. Inside, they found two men actively working with a substantial haul: 11,485 wet and 15,200 dry abalone.
The suspects now face serious charges related to the illegal possession of abalone. In a related operation, TRT members also found 2,505 units of abalone abandoned in a vehicle in Nyanga, further highlighting the scale of the illegal trade in the region. This bust underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat illegal abalone harvesting and processing, a practice that poses significant risks to marine ecosystems and local economies.
In other news – Zandimaz on the comeback trail after health struggles
South Africa-based Zimbabwean musician Zandimaz, known for her hit “Emathandweni,” is determined to reclaim her place in the music industry after facing significant health challenges. The artist, whose real name is Zandile Mazithulela, spent the last two years recovering from a seizure that occurred while she was performing in the UK, and she later learned she had a brain tumor that led to various complications.
In a candid interview with *Daily Sun*, Zandimaz shared her struggles during this difficult period. “Giving up always pops up in my mind, but this is not something I’d entertain. Read More
