Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

Question by: 
Hon Dave Bryant
Answered by: 
Hon Anton Bredell
Question Number: 
27
Question Body: 
  1. (a) What is the current status of the investigation into the slaughter of tortoises at the Table Bay Nature Reserve and (b) which law enforcement or conservation agencies are leading the investigation;
  2. (a) what coordination or support has been provided by CapeNature or his Department to the City of Cape Town and the SAPS regarding this case and (b) what mechanisms are in place to ensure jurisdictional clarity in similar incidents;
  3. (a) how many cases of wildlife poaching or illegal harvesting have been reported in urban or peri-urban conservation areas of the province in recent years and (b) what species have been most affected;
  4. (a) what measures are currently being implemented to strengthen enforcement and monitoring in urban nature reserves and (b) how are communities being engaged to report on or prevent wildlife crime?
Answer Body: 
  1. (a) The matter is currently under investigation. An enquiry docket was opened at the Table Bay Police Station following the report of an incident by the City of Cape Town (CoCT) to CapeNature on 5 November 2025.

(b) CoCT is investigating evidence to present to CapeNature.  CapeNature will advise SAPS on the transfer of the docket to the SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit for further investigation and handover to the National Prosecuting Authority.

  1. (a) CapeNature has advised the CoCT and SAPS on the charges relevant to this matter towards determining the transfer to the SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit.

(b) CoCT officials that are appointed as Environmental Management Inspectors (EMIs) are empowered to enforce the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (NEMPAA) as it relates to nature reserves for which the CoCT is the management authority.  CapeNature is empowered to enforce the Nature Conservation Ordinance throughout the province as it relates to the provision contained in the Ordinance.  The Western Cape Environmental Crime Forum is chaired by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEA&DP) and comprises CoCT, CapeNature, SANParks, DEA&DP and other local government law enforcement officials.  This forum is where matters of jurisdiction are tabled and discussed.

  1. (a) CapeNature has investigated three cases involving wildlife poaching or illegal harvesting in urban or peri-urban conservation areas of the province.

(b) The three cases referred to in 3(a) is Oysters and marine fish.

  1. (a) The CoCT is the management authority for urban and peri-urban nature reserves within the boundaries of the Cape Metro and should provide information on measures implemented to strengthen enforcement and monitoring in urban nature reserves.

(b) CapeNature conducts regular environmental education and awareness activities and events, radio interviews, media releases, social media posts and broadcasts on identifying and reporting biodiversity crime, and interpretation of biodiversity legislation. The CoCT may also be able to provide a response on how they engage communities to report on or prevent wildlife crime.

Date: 
Friday, November 14, 2025
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