Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

.(a) Clivia mirabilis is poached in its natural habitat, which is restricted in range to the Succulent Karoo Biome in the Northern Cape and Western Cape, mainly in the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve (Northern Cape) with small populations occurring on private land in the Western Cape.  

The escalation of poaching of this species became evident in December 2023, with poachers from Western Cape infiltrating Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve, with 70 known poaching incursions from the Western Cape in Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve.

CapeNature contributes to combating of the poaching of Clivia mirabilis through regular joint operations with the SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit based in Malmesbury. CapeNature collaborates with personnel from the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environment, Rural development, and Land Reform (DAERL) based at the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve in Nieuwoutdville.  Cooperation between CapeNature and officials from the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) recently led to the arrest of a Chinese national in Kempton Park, Gauteng, known to be involved in the Clivia trade in Hong Kong.

Populations of Clivia mirabilis in the Western Cape are also targeted by poachers, with eight known incursions in the Koebee/Klein Kobee area in the past three months.  CapeNature officials have arrested 49 suspects for Clivia mirabilis related offences since April 2024, of which 50% have been illegal foreign nationals. These operations have also recovered 2 434 poached Clivia mirabilis plants.

1. The Cape Floristic Region and the Succulent Karoo are identified as Global Biodiversity hotpots, being areas of high diversity and high numbers of endemic species which are under threat from human activities.  The Matzikama/Namaqualand area interfaces both hotspots, and the illegal succulent trade has been especially rife.  CapeNature’s satellite office in Vanrhynsdorp is responsible for the combating of the illegal poaching in this area. Though they have achieved successes in arresting poachers and stopping the loss of plants, they are understaffed and under-equipped to take on the poaching currently happening. On recent operations against the Clivia mirabilis poaching, additional officials were drawn from elsewhere within the West Landscape, and these operations led to the successful arrest of eight Clivia poachers.  

CapeNature, with funding assistance from the WWF and the Leslie Hill Succulent Karoo Trust, have entered into agreements with three organisations (NAVIC, Afriforum Security, Vanrhynsdorp Farmers Association) to enable the expansion of the License Plate Recognition camera network in the region. This technology is used to monitor the movement of vehicles suspected of being involved in the plant poaching. This expansion of the network has also played a crucial role in the improvement of rural safety in the region.

CapeNature lead the establishment of an interprovincial task team in January 2025, consisting of representatives from the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape Provinces, to specifically address the illegal plant trade in a joint and coordinated manner. The task team consists of members from CapeNature, DAERL and Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT), SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species Units, NPA provincial representatives, and SANParks, with the support of the Financial Intelligence Centre, and NGO partners (WWF, WFA, and TRAFFIC). DFFE also collaborates on joint interprovincial operations where needed.

CapeNature makes use of the Financial Intelligence Centre during investigations to trace finance routes worldwide to over 170 countries. This enables law enforcement agencies to target the beneficiaries of the illegal trade in the end-user countries.

CapeNature, SANParks and the various SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species Units in the Western Cape also participate in a joint forum aimed at improving cooperation between law enforcement agencies and facilitating communication and inter-agency support for investigations combating biodiversity crime.