KEY POINTS
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Three suspects were arrested in Cape Town’s Newlands Forest for illegally stripping bark from trees, following an operation by SANParks rangers.
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The suspects, who were found with tools such as a panga and an axe, were apprehended after fleeing the scene when rangers attempted to arrest them.
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The operation highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities to protect South Africa’s natural heritage and enforce laws against illegal activities in protected areas.
On Saturday, three suspects were arrested for allegedly stripping bark from trees in Cape Town’s Newlands Forest, a protected area.
According to Sowetanlive, the arrests were the result of an operation conducted by South African National Parks (SANParks) rangers, who were tipped off about suspicious activity in the area.
The operation underscores the ongoing efforts by authorities to curb illegal harvesting of natural resources in South Africa’s protected forests.
According to SANParks senior communications manager Charles Phahlane, the rangers from the Sea, Air, and Mountain (SEAM) unit carried out a foot patrol through the Newlands Forest, following a tip-off.
They ventured along the Woodcutter’s Trail, where they detected sounds of chanting and chopping. These noises led the rangers to the location of the suspects.
“The team discovered four individuals actively stripping bark from trees. Two were observed chopping the trees, while the other two were packing the bark into backpacks,” Phahlane explained. When the suspects noticed the rangers approaching, they fled the scene, abandoning their tools and evidence behind.
The rangers, however, did not give up their pursuit. “A SEAM K9 successfully apprehended one suspect, while two other suspects were caught by the rangers,” Phahlane said. The authorities also found crucial evidence during a search of the area, including a panga, an axe, and four backpacks filled with the stripped bark.
Efforts to safeguard South Africa’s natural resources
The arrested suspects were taken to Claremont police station where they were formally charged. This operation is part of SANParks’ broader efforts to protect South Africa’s natural heritage and ensure the enforcement of laws against illegal resource harvesting in the country’s protected areas.
Phahlane emphasized the significance of the operation, saying, “This operation underscores the ongoing efforts to protect our natural heritage and enforce laws against illegal resource harvesting within protected areas.” The Newlands Forest, located in the heart of Cape Town, is a key ecological area that is protected under South Africa’s environmental laws, and any illegal activity in such areas is taken seriously.
Bark stripping, which is the illegal removal of tree bark, is often done for commercial purposes such as selling it for medicinal or traditional uses. It not only harms the trees but also disrupts the broader ecosystem. The forests of South Africa are vital to the country’s biodiversity and environmental health, making the protection of these areas crucial.
This arrest marks another victory in the ongoing battle against illegal exploitation of natural resources in South Africa’s national parks. SANParks and other conservation bodies continue to patrol protected areas to prevent further ecological damage.
