PICTURE SUPPLIED
The 35-year-old man who was arrested following a R1.2-million abalone bust in December appeared in the Gqeberha magistrate’s court on Monday.
Johannes Petrus Cloete was arrested by a multi-disciplinary task team on Friday in Noordhoek in Gqeberha, after he had allegedly been on the run for more than a month.
Hawks spokesperson in the Eastern Cape, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, said it’s alleged that in the early hours of nine December 2023, members of the Economic Protected Resources (EPR) received information indicating that a rubber duck boat was about to offload abalone onto a vehicle.
“The members arrived at the scene and found the rubber duck stuck on the sand where people were in the process of offloading the abalone, but fled the scene on seeing the police,” Captain Mgolodela said in a statement.
“The members confiscated 26 bags of abalone containing 5700 units weighing about 1000 kg and diving equipment.”
The team has since been on the lookout for the alleged perpetrators, Captain Mgolodela said, until 20 January 2024 when information, which led to the arrest of the suspect, was received.
At the time of his arrest, Cloete was in his diving gear and about to enter the sea at Noordhoek in Gqeberha.
“The joint team was given a thumbs up by the Provincial Head Major General Obed Ngwenya for leaving no stone unturned and ensuring that the alleged culprit is brought to book.
"The matter is remanded to 29 January 2024."
