Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) rangers seized diving gear and 112 abalone in Glencairn.
A Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) ranger is recovering at home after being attacked by a suspected poacher during an anti-poaching operation in Glencairn.
According to SANParks spokeswoman Lauren Howard-Clayton, the Sea, Air and Mountain (Seam) ranger was seriously injured during the arrest of six suspects found in possession of abalone.
On Monday January 23 at around 11.30pm, the TMNP operations room staff received information about suspected poachers operating in the marine protected area near Glencairn.
Aided by SAPS, the rangers stopped a vehicle suspected of being involved in the incident.
Simon’s Town police station commander Captain Vishnu Pillay confirmed that six suspects were arrested.
Diving gear and 112 abalone were discovered during the vehicle search, and the vehicle was seized.
“All six suspects were charged with illegal possession of abalone and appeared in the Simon’s Town Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday January 25,” he said, adding that they had been remanded in custody at Pollsmoor prison and charges regarding the ranger's assault had not yet been added.
Ms Howard-Clayton said the ranger had been injured while trying to subdue one of the suspects.
“During the arrest, the suspect fought back violently resulting in a scuffle. It was during the struggle, that the Seam ranger’s leg twisted resulting in a fracture of his shin bone and dislocation of his foot,” she said.
The ranger had been hospitalised and had undergone surgery for the injury.
“He is in pain but still in high spirits. He is looking forward to recovering and resuming his duties in the TMNP with his special operations team,” Ms Howard-Clayton said.
Ward councilor Simon Liell-Cock said more resources needed to be allocated to anti-poaching efforts.
“In my opinion, anti-poaching has not been sufficiently resourced and the rape and pillage of our seas have been allowed to continue largely without consequences. It is a crime against the country and our children’s future, it has grown beyond the capabilities of SAPS and now needs to be addressed by deploying the South African National Defence Force.”
Suspicious behaviour in Table Mountain National Park can be reported to 086 110 6417.