Muthi dealers arrested by SAPS officers

CAPE TOWN – In order to address the illegal and ongoing stripping of bark from protected tree species in Table Mountain National Park, Environmental Crime Investigation (ECI) Cape Town identified a shop in which purchased the bark and other items from illegal suppliers for muthi purposes.

The integrated team pounced on the traditional medicine shop following a four month long sting operation which was concluded with the arrest of the owner of the shop and the confiscation of various illegal fauna and flora products.

A criminal case docket was registered and the suspect was detained on charges of possession of wild animal carcasses without a permit as well as the possession of flora without a permit.

The members confiscated 29 bags of tree bark, one elephant foot, several fox skins and one otter skin. The shop owner was arrested, Similar operations will be directed at other shops with the possibility of more arrests being made.