Six arrested in Eastern Cape over abalone worth R1.5 mln
The six, aged between 25 and 32, were arrested in central Gqeberha on Tuesday during an operation conducted by the Hawks’ dark water operations unit with the assistance of the South African Police Service flying squad.
CAPE TOWN, June 9 (ANA) – Six suspects are expected to apply for bail after they were arrested for allegedly being in possession of R1.5 million (over US$110,000) worth of abalone in the Eastern Cape, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) said.
The six, aged between 25 and 32, were arrested in central Gqeberha on Tuesday during an operation conducted by the Hawks’ dark water operations unit with the assistance of the South African Police Service flying squad, the directorate’s provincial spokeswoman Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said in a statement.
The team pursued a suspicious VW Caddy from the Humewood seaside and contacted the flying squad for assistance to pull it over.
The vehicle finally stopped at a traffic circle on Strand Street where 430 kg of abalone with a street value of R1.5 million was seized. Officers also confiscated tools and arrested the suspects.
The matter has since been handed over to the Gqeberha serious organised crime investigation team, Mgolodela said. The six suspects are expected to apply for bail in court on Thursday.
In another incident, the chief executive officer of Melting Point appeared in the Mthatha specialised commercial crime court on Monday on allegations of R6.3 million fraud.
In February 2017 Melting Point, represented by CEO Gcisakazi Mdlulwa, allegedly held a meeting with the Wild Coast Sun Mbizana Development Trust and proposed hosting an O.R Tambo centenary event planned for October that year, Mgolodela said.
Melting Point sought permission to partner with the Trust, which would provide funding for the purchase of a dome to be erected in Mbizana for the celebrations.
Mdlulwa suggested the dome would be an asset to the Trust and a benefit for the community, and spoke about sourcing a grant from the National Lottery Commission.
“The grant was applied for and approved, the funds were deposited into the Trust account. It is alleged that Melting Point provided the Trust with a quotation and an invoice (for) the dome and cash to the value of R6.3 million was transferred to an account held by Melting Point for the dome that was never erected,” Mgolodela said.
Mdlulwa was arrested on June 3, and has since been granted R5,000 bail. The case was postponed to July 27.
– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa