Muti-seller arrests 'a victory for wildlife'

May 18 2007 at 07:54AM

By Xoliswa Zulu

Police have hailed the arrests of 19 suspected muti sellers and the recovery of plant and animal parts worth R3-million as a victory against the sale of endangered species in the province.

The suspects, including three women, were arrested in Warwick Triangle on Thursday afternoon.

The arrests were part of a joint operation by the Durban Organised Crime, Durban Central Crime Prevention and National Intervention units, as well as the Police Airwing, the Metro Police and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.


Animal parts, including the skins and bones of elephants, lions and cheetahs, were recovered in the raid, dubbed Operation Dayisa.

Reptile skins, vulture carcasses and protected plants were also recovered.


A quantity of Mandrax was also seized during the operation.

Detective-Inspector Jean-Pierre Roux said the estimated street value of the recovered items was more than R3-million.

Superintendent Muzi Mngomezulu said that the operation had taken place after months of investigation and after officials had received information from several sources.

"The raid was part of an ongoing operation by the Durban Organised Crime Unit to address the illegal trade of endangered species at Warwick Junction. All the species seized were being sold at their stalls by the suspects.

"The rest of Warwick Junction was also policed and various other arrests were made for other crimes," he said.

Mngomezulu added that people needed permits to trade in certain species and that he was pleased with the number of people arrested during the operation.

"We are also sending out a strong warning that this is not the end of the operation and that trading in endangered species will not be tolerated. The raids will continue for many months to come.

"We will have regular raids to ensure that endangered species are not illegally sold to our communities and to ensure that all species are protected."

Roux was also happy with the outcome of the raid.

"This was a very good operation for us as trade in illegal species is reaching astronomical proportions in the province.

"If proper control is not made over our natural resources, none will be left for our children," he said.

All those arrested will appear in the Durban magistrate's court on Friday on charges of contravening the Protected Species Act by being in possession of and dealing in protected species.

This article was originally published on page 6 of The Mercury on May 18, 2007