Three foreign nationals aged between 28 and 45 have been arrested after a suspected illegal abalone processing operation was uncovered at a lodge in the Southwell area outside Bathurst.
The suspects were arrested on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, during a joint operation involving the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and several SAPS units.
Officials conducting patrols in the area became suspicious of activities at the lodge and called in SAPS Highway Patrol, the Specialised Task Force, Bathurst Vispol and other units to assist with a search.
The operation led to the recovery of equipment and other items allegedly linked to abalone processing, with the haul estimated to be worth millions of rand.
The three suspects face charges under the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998, specifically Section 13(1), read with Regulation 36(1)(a).
They are expected to appear before the Port Alfred Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 21 August 2026.
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