GQEBERHA - Foul smell emanating from a house in Daniel Street in Korsten prompted concerned neighbours to alert police as they suspected that there could be a decomposing body in the house.

On Tuesday, 17 January 2023 at about 14:00, SAPS Gelvandale members responded to the complaint. There was no one at the house at the time and police had forced entry into the house by breaking the door. On entering dry and wet abalone as well as processing equipment which included burners, buckets and deep freezers were found.

A total of 471 units of dried abalone and 4396 units of wet abalone were confiscated. The total estimated value of the abalone is R688 000-00.

The confiscated molluscs were taken away for storage by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs. The processing equipment was also seized.

The Uitenhage Stock Theft Unit will be conducting an investigation. Anyone who can assist in the investigation is asked to contact D/W/O Bennie Van Jaarsveld on 041 996 3340 or 079 896 9521 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the nearest police station. All information is confidential and callers may remain anonymous.

Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj Gen Vuyisile Ncata thanked the community for alerting police of their suspicion. ‘We are warning landlords that their properties could be forfeited to the state if their tenants are caught using their premises to conduct illegal criminal activities. We will work with the necessary authorities and owners can lose their properties. Owners need to profile their tenants before leasing out their property as well as making regular visits to their property. Their property can be seized under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA.) If we get information of crimes taking place at certain homes, flats or outbuildings, we will investigate and your property could be forfeited,’ warned Maj Gen Ncata.

Source: South African Police Service