Western Cape police in close encounter with 'fishy' vehicle

Cape Town - Police officers tracking two men alleged to be transporting perlemoen (abalone) at the weekend had an extremely close encounter when they ended up rear-ending the suspects’ vehicle.

Riviersonderend officials received a tip-off that a “suspicious” White Toyota Corolla was travelling on the N2 towards Caledon, on Sunday morning, according to a statement by Western Cape police.

They found the vehicle on the R326 and started following it. The vehicle suddenly stopped and the police car collided with it.

The driver and passenger, aged 32 and 36, jumped out and ran away. Officers arrested the passenger soon after.

The driver was arrested later that day while standing next to the N2. Both are from Gansbaai.

“When the members searched the vehicle, they found 2 915 units of abalone with an estimated street value of R221 540,” the statement read.

The abalone and vehicle were seized. The men would appear in the Caledon Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of illegal possession of abalone.