Two suspects appeared in the Springbok Magistrates Court on Monday, 26 January 2026, following their arrest on Sunday, 25 January 2026, for alleged contravention of the Nature Conservation Act 9 of 2009, Sections 50 and 51 after allegedly stealing the plants in the Steinkopf area.
The suspects, aged between 21 and 28 were arrested in Okiep on 25 January 2025 at approximately 08:40.
The two suspects were found in possession of protected plants amounting to thousands of rand.
The District Commissioner, Brigadier Schalk Andrews, stated that the natural fauna and flora of the Namakwa is not for sale and those who attempt to poach the plants will receive resistance from the SAPS.
The vigilance and swift action from the police members, have resulted in the arrest of the suspects. It also sends a strong warning to poachers that police will clamp down on their operations and will squeeze the space for them to operate. #EnviroCrimes
