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Forty-eight suspected abalone poachers will make their first court appearance in Plettenberg Bay on Monday.
The men, aged between 22 and 55, were arrested in the Garden Route National Park last Thursday for being in the illegal possession of 142 kilograms of abalone.
The suspects from Gansbaai were charged under the Marine Living Resources Act.
They were arrested in a joint operation by SA National Parks, SAPS and Cape Nature near Keurbooms.
“It is believed that they gained entrance to the park through a private property. The investigation into this matter continues,” said police spokesperson, Captain Malcolm Pojie.
