Stripped tree bark along with a axe and backpack that was recovered from suspects in Newlands forest.
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Three men were apprehended in Newlands forest for illegal tree bark stripping.
In a statement, South African National Parks (SANparks) spokesperson JP Louw, said the arrests took place last Friday, April 18, following a tip-off.
SANparks rangers and Sea, Air Mountain (SEAM) rangers conducted a foot patrol through Newlands forest via the Woodcutter’s Trail where they detected suspicious activity, including chanting and chopping sounds within the forest.
Mr Louw says SANparks and SEAM rangers said four men were caught stripping the bark. “When attempting to apprehend the suspects, they fled the scene, abandoning tools and evidence,” he says.
Mr Louw says that a SEAM K9 dog successfully apprehended one suspect, while two others were caught by rangers. “A search of the area uncovered a panga, an axe, and four backpacks containing stripped bark,” he says.
The three men, along with the seized evidence, were transported to Claremont police where they were formally charged.
Claremont police spokersperson, Lieutenant Colonel Marnus Fourie, said three men, aged 18, 22 and 29, were apphehened by SANparks and SEAM rangers after 1am on Friday April 18.
He says the fourth suspect is known but has not yet been caught. The three suspects appeared in Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Tuesday April 22. “They were charged under the National Environment Act 107 of 1998,” he says.
Mr Louw says this operation underscores the ongoing efforts to protect our natural heritage and enforce laws against illegal resource harvesting within protected areas.
Five arrested for possession of drugs and illegal firearm
On Monday April 14, Metro police detained five people between the ages of 20 and 39 for drug possession and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Ward 57 councillor Yusuf Mohamed says Metro police received a tip about a shop allegedly selling drugs in Woodstock.
“They requested permission to search the premises and recovered two sachets of cocaine, with an estimated street value of R5000, a firearm and 17 rounds of ammunition,” he says.
Woodstock police station commander, Colonel Delven Matroos says the arrest took place around 5pm last Monday. The suspects included three men and two women in a small cafe in Roodebloem Street, Woodstock.
Colonel Matroos says the suspects have been charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and possession of drugs
Firearm with ammunition along with the two sachets of drugs that was confiscated by the metro police from a shop in Woodstock.
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