Provincial Traffic Makes R800 000 Abalone Bust in Grabouw

Statement by Donald Grant, Minister of Transport and Public Works

This morning (8 July 2015), at 10:15, Provincial Traffic officers arrested one male suspect as he was transporting 35 bags (5 213) of abalone valued at R800 000.

The suspect was transporting the abalone in a Toyota light delivery vehicle, and was apprehended on the N2 outside of Grabouw.

The suspect has been handed over and a case has been opened with the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation.

I would like to commend our dedicated traffic law enforcement officers for their work in apprehending criminals that carry out serious crimes on our roads. Just last week, 29 new traffic officers graduated from the Gene Louw Traffic College and have since joined the force, adding to the limited number of traffic officers we currently have. They will now be part of a team working day and night to ensure that our roads are not only safe, but also free of criminal activities.

Our hard-working traffic officers remain committed to carrying out round-the-clock enforcement of traffic laws on our roads, and will work tirelessly to stamp out lawlessness on the provincial roads network.