Western Cape members arrested one suspect with abalone worth an estimated R1 million over the weekend.
Members of the K9 unit, Operational Response Services as well as Visible Policing held a roadblock near the Vaal Plaza on the N1 when a Mitsubishi Pajero failed to stop at the road block. Police gave chase on which the driver of the vehicle tried to evade the police by driving at a high speed into the Sasolburg slipway. The driver of the vehicle lost control over the vehicle on which it capsized.
Though injured, the driver of the Pajero tried to run away from the police but was arrested not far from the capsized vehicle. On investigation the police found that the passenger in the vehicle had died on impact and the vehicle contained 32 bags of abalone weighing 20 kg each. The estimated value of the abalone is R1 000 000, 00.
The 28-year-old driver is currently being treated for injuries sustained during the accident in a hospital in Sasolburg. The age and identity of the deceased is not known yet. Police are investigating cases of possession of endangered species (abalone) and culpable homicide.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Free State Province, Lieutenant General Mpembe congratulated the members on the arrest saying that this arrest serve as evidence that Free State SAPS is serious about riding the province of criminal elements.
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