STATEMENT BY PORT SHEPSTONE SAPS:
Lt col Zandra Wiid and WOff Marc Wiid could not believe their eyes when they were on duty driving in the CBD today (Thursday, 31 March) at 11:17 and saw a man pushing a trolley which contained four cycads with beautiful green leaves hanging over the sides of the trolley.
Lt col Wiid immediately asked for back up and was assisted by K9 unit members and police members from the station. The 27-year-old man, who is from Ezinqoleni area, explained that he brought the protected plants from a rural village in that area on order to sell to a certain person.
010He claimed that he brought it in a taxi and then asked a trolley pusher to help him to take the plants into the CBD. He further alleged that he was totally unaware that a permit is needed to be in possession or even transport the plants.
Mr Piet Massyn from KZN Enzemvelo Wildlife was summoned and he charged the male for being in Possession of protected plants without a permit, Act 10/2004 section 56(d). He will appear in court tomorrow (Friday, 1 April).
Meanwhile we want to issue a stern warning that it is illegal to remove protected plants from their natural habitat and trade in such plants. The estimated value of the plants is R20 000-00.
http://www.ehowzit.co.za/news/crime-wat ... ad-seller/
