Perlemoen poachers, police face off

2012-11-05 10:48

Perlemoen (File, Beeld)

Cape Town - Perlemoen (abalone) poachers in Hawston, Western Cape, claim the police have been targeting them for more than a year, according to a report on Monday.

The Cape Times reported that the fishing community was apparently regularly targeted by a police squad dubbed "die slaners" (the hitters).

The poachers blamed the police for the death of Steven Figaji, 19, a poacher who drowned at Breakfast Bay on Thursday during an operation aimed at clamping down on poaching.

A group of poachers went on the rampage on Saturday night, injuring a police officer and setting a K9 Unit building alight.

Seven police vehicles were set alight and officers were attacked,

According to the report, Xavier Spandiel, 13, was shot in both thighs while running to see what had happened.

Deputy provincial commissioner Peter Jacobs said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate would set up an office in Hawston on Monday so residents could report police brutality cases.

- SAPA