Eight men, arrested for the illegal possession of abalone worth millions of rand, are remanded in custody for the duration of the investigation.
They were caught in separate incidents on 22 and 28 December.
The suspects, South Africans, Malawians, Lesotho nationals and Chinese, have been charged with the illegal possession and transportation of abalone, as well as the bribery of police officers.
Those charged with bribery are Andile Nini (28) and Lizo Vengeka (42). The pair are expected to reappear in the Rouxville Magistrate’s Court on 8 March after a brief appearance on 3 January. The other six suspects are set to reappear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court today (12/01).
They are Jinghuan Zhen, David Mbewu, Thabo Johannes Khaile, Randy Alfred Mapoe, Marvin Fazel Kekana and Clareece Genevieve. They face charges of possession of abalone.
The six men were busted during a raid at a house in Olympus Street in Bayswater, Bloemfontein, on 22 December.
Const. Peter Kareli, Free State police spokesperson, said Nini and Vengeka had allegedly tried to bribe Rouxville Crime Prevention members who caught them in possession of the protected species on the N6.
They were nabbed on 28 December during a routine patrol.
According to Kareli, abalone with an estimated street value of R1,6 million was discovered in a white Toyota Hilux that Nini was driving.
Kareli said the abalone had reportedly been covered with a tarp.
“The suspect was asked about the abalone, and he could not provide a satisfactory explanation. While members were busy with investigations, the other man called the suspect’s phone, offering a bribe to officers effecting arrest,” said Kareli.
He said the necessary processes had been implemented, leading to the arrest of Vengeka.
“The bribe money was booked in as an exhibit at the Rouxville police.”
According to Capt. Christopher Singo, provincial Hawks spokesperson, dry and wet abalone worth more than R7 million was uncovered at the house, from which the suspects are believed to have been processing the species from.
Both cases are investigated by the Hawks.
