20/06/2026
๐๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐จ๐ซ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐
๐๐๐๐๐จ๐จ๐ค ๐๐๐ซ๐ค๐๐ญ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐๐
A local couple has been sentenced for illegally harvesting and selling threatened succulent species on Facebook Marketplace.
Andrรฉ du Preez and Maria van Meyeren of Oudtshoorn North were sentenced on 18 May 2026 in the Oudtshoorn Magistrateโs Court.
They received a fine of R200,000 or 10 yearsโ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, after being convicted on five charges relating to the unlawful harvesting and sale of protected plants.
The couple was arrested on 30 May 2025 during a joint operation by the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STU) from Worcester and Oudtshoorn, together with the Wildlife Crime Information Network (WCIN).
More than 400 threatened succulents, valued at approximately R189,500, were seized.
The plants included protected species such as Conophytum truncatum and Haworthia truncata, which had been poached from the Oudtshoorn area.
The convictions were secured under the Nature and Environmental Conservation Ordinance (No. 19 of 1974).
Leon Rossouw of the Wildlife Crime Information Network welcomed the sentence, saying it sends a strong message that plant poaching is a serious criminal offence.
โThe rise of online marketplaces and social media platforms has unfortunately made it easier for illegally harvested plants to be advertised and sold,โ Rossouw said.
โWhat may appear to be a harmless hobby or collectorโs purchase often fuels a chain of environmental crime that begins with the destruction of wild populations.โ
Authorities say the illegal trade in succulents continues because the financial rewards often outweigh the perceived risks.
This case highlights growing efforts by law enforcement to crack down on biodiversity crimes, particularly those facilitated through social media platforms.
Photo: WCIN