By Alana Bailey

On 13 September, two suspects appeared in the Riversdal Magistrate’s Court on charges of the illegal possession of protected plant species. This followed after members of AfriForum’s Albertinia farm watch and Riversdal neighbourhood watch helped to arrest these suspects on 11 September. They were in possession of about 50 plants of more than 25 different endangered plant species, including proteas, fynbos and succulents.

These arrests stem from smart patrolling by members of the Albertinia farm watch who noticed a vehicle, which had previously been reported as suspicious, in the area at 11:20 on the day in question. Several plants could be seen in the vehicle and the South African Police Service and Cape Nature Riversdal were informed about the suspicious vehicle. Upon their arrival, it was determined that the suspects were indeed in illegal possession of endangered plant species and they were arrested.

The smuggling of plant species currently poses a huge challenge in the Southern Cape. Several of AfriForum’s branches in this region cooperate closely with the local police and community policing forums to put a stop to the activities of these smugglers.

Johan Wessels, security chairman of AfriForum’s Hessekwa branch, says that the stolen plants are often hidden and transported in old vehicle tyres. A filled tyre can be sold on the black market for thousands of rands.

The increase in the illegal plant trade is mostly driven by collectors from China and Korea. International syndicates often pay local residents to seek out and trade rare plants found in the wild. Plant smugglers are not as dangerous or well organised as rhino poachers yet, but the problem is increasing at an alarmingly rate and threatens South Africa’s biodiversity and ecotourism sector. That is precisely why the involvement of community organisations such as AfriForum’s branches is essential to nip the smuggling in the bud.

Read the media statement here.