KWAZULU-NATAL – On Tuesday 06 September 2022, the Ingwavuma Regional Court convicted and sentenced four accused for illegal harvesting of cycad plants at Jozini area.

In October 2019, the Port Shepstone based Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation members received information about suspects who were selling cycad plants. An undercover operation was conducted and four accused, Bhekuyise Thabethe (40), Dumisani Mamba (29) Msisizwe Gumbi (25) and Thamsanqa Gumbi (28) were arrested. More than fifty cycad plants to the street value of R39 000-00 were seized during the operation.

The accused appeared in court several times until they were found guilty and sentenced to three years imprisonment which is wholly suspended for five years.

Source: South African Police Service