NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 3233
DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER 2011 [IQP No 35 -2011] THIRD
SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 3233 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr G R Morgan (DA) to
ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to question 2040 on 31 August
2011, a certain person (name furnished) had been issued with a section
28 notice of inquiry into his alleged actions in terms of the Marine
Living Resources Act, Act 18 of 1998; if not, why not; if so, what are
the relevant details;
(2) whether any of the persons who had been arrested along with him for
alleged abalone poaching have been served with section 28 notices; if
not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether he is (a) still a member of and (b) attending meetings of her
departmentâs abalone management working group; if not, why not; if so,
how is this justified? NW3846E
REPLY:
1) No. The person in question has not been issued with a Section 28 notice.
An inquiry case docket has been opened in respect of the said Abalone
Rights Holder, who is an accused in Case 291/07/2011, Gansbaai, and who
was arrested on 10 July 2011 for charges related to racketeering. The
case is currently under investigation and the outcome including the
extent of the personâs involvement in illegal Abalone activities will be
forwarded to the Section 28 Committee for recommendation.
2) Yes. Two of the individuals that were arrested with the person in
question for alleged Abalone poaching were served with Section 28
notices. The inquiry in terms of these two individuals was initiated
prior to the arrests of Case 291/07/2011, Gansbaai. Notices were issued
for contraventions in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998
(Act 18 of 1998). The Section 28 proceedings against these two Rights
Holders are before the Section 28 Committee for recommendation.
3) Yes. The Right Holder is being allowed to attend Management Working
Group meetings until such time that the investigation has been
concluded. Furthermore, he is a zonal representative and the Right
Holders whom he represents have not requested his removal from the
Management Working Group yet.