Two Mozambican nationals appeared in the Komatipoort Magistrate’s Court today, July 29, for the illegal possession of abalone, also known as perlemoen, weighing in at 108.15kg and valued at R648 900.

According to the Mpumalanga Hawks’ spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, the arrest of the suspects followed a tip-off that had been received regarding a white Isuzu single-cab bakkie destined for the Lebombo Border Post.

“The vehicle was identified, stopped and searched. In the back of the bakkie, the police found five bags of cement, two wooden pallets and two aluminium window frames. They continued with the search and found eleven paper bags that were presented as potato bags behind the front seat. Upon opening the bags, however, they established that they contained dry abalone,” she said.

Sekgotodi said the investigation into this case continues. The case was postponed to July 31 for bail application.