South African Police Clamp Down On Illegal Fishing At Vaal Dam

By: Thandeka Kosa, South Africa

The South African Police has clamped down on an illegal fishing operation at the Vaal Dam on Friday, during a Sedibeng rural safety cross-border operation.

This comes after information was received about illegal net fishing by illegal immigrants at the University of Johannesburg grounds by the Vaal Dam. It is alleged that fish caught illegally in the Vaal Dam by foreigners are shipped and sold elsewhere.

The operation was carried out by the Vaal Marina Police Station, the rural police stations of De Deur, Barrage, Vereeniging, Orange Farm and Meyerton, the Sedibeng Water Wing, the Sedibeng Drone Unit, the Mounted Unit and the Gauteng Traffic Wardens.

Also present during the operation were the Sedibeng District Police Commissioner, Major-General Nkhensani Lemba, Deputy District Commissioner, Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu, and the Vaal Marina Station Commander, Captain JB Greyling.

Upon arrival the suspects had scattered.

Police did however confiscate two fishing boats, nets, as well as fish caught illegally, including endangered species.

Speaking to Vaalweekblad, a local newspaper, on the shores of the Vaal Dam following the operation, Major-General Lemba said that these types of operations need to be heightened.

Lemba called upon communities to work hand in hand with the police to combat crime in rural areas.