Integrated operation led to the arrest of a traditional medicine shop owner in Cape Town

In order to address the illegal and ongoing stripping of bark from protected tree species in Table Mountain National Park, Environmental Crime Investigation (ECI) Cape Town identified a shop in Cape Town which purchased the bark and other items from illegal suppliers for muthi purposes.

A clandestine operation involving Sanpark Environmental Crime Investigation (ECI) Cape Town, SAPS’s Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit from Kuilsrivier and Cape Nature Officials, was conducted on the identified shop on 4 December 2023.

The integrated team pounced on the traditional medicine shop following a four month long sting operation which was concluded with the arrest of the owner of the shop and the confiscation of various illegal fauna and flora products.

A criminal case docket was registered and the suspect was detained on charges of possession of wild animal carcasses without a permit as well as the possession of flora without a permit.

The members confiscated 29 bags of tree bark, one elephant foot, several fox skins and one otter skin. The value still needs to be determined and the investigation continues. Similar operations will be directed at other shops with the possibility of more arrests being made.

Once charged the suspect will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates court on the mentioned charges.

Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile lauded the efforts of the integrated forces for their sterling investigation and bringing this perpetrator to book. He also conveyed a word of appreciation to the investigating officer and his team from the SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species from Kuilsrivier for assistance to Sanparks Environmental Crime Investigation (ECI) members during this investigation.