Convictions a blow for huge abalone smuggling syndicate

Huang Zhanyang (30) and Pow Kekun (51) pleaded guilty to charges of conducting an illegal fish processing establishment and illegal possession of abalone following their arrest on a farm outside the city. Emphasising the threat to SA's natural resources, the state has called for a prison sentence to be imposed, saying that a fine is 'probably factored into the syndicate's business plan' and will not serve as a deterrent, according to the report. It notes the men were found in possession of 37 356 units of the shellfish, weighing about six tons and worth R5.25m. A Forestry and Fisheries Department official who testified described it as the biggest abalone bust in the Eastern Cape. The report notes the case of the third accused, Brett Killian (28), was separated and postponed to 2 March as he intends pleading not guilty. Full report in The Herald (subscription needed)

In more abalone poaching news: Three men were arrested in separate incidents in the Western Cape for the possession of abalone worth about R690 000, police said last week. A report on the News24 site notes that a man (19) and his companion (37) man were arrested on Wednesday morning in Lwandle, Strand, for possession of 2 545 units of abalone with an estimated street value of around R500 000, said police spokesperson Andre Traut. The pair appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrate's Court on Friday. In a separate incident, a man (37) was arrested in Stellenbosch last Tuesday night for possession of 1 043 units of abalone with an estimated street value of R190 000, said Traut. The man appeared in the Stellenbosch Magistrate's Court on Thursday. Full report on the News24 site

Three men appeared in the Hoedspruit Magistrate's Court yesterday (Monday) on charges related to rhino poaching, Limpopo police said. A report on the IoL site notes that Abdul Sinhle Nyalungu (20), Samkelo Sithole (22) and Alvas Cornelius Mnisi (29) would appear in court again next Monday, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said. The three were allegedly found in possession of an unlicensed 3.75 rifle with 10 rounds of ammunition and an axe on Saturday. Police suspected the men were trying to poach rhino in the Kruger National Park, says the report. Full report on the IoL site