Posted by on April 21, 2005 at 20:50:13:
The anti-poaching unit was attacked and R3 600 damaged caused to a brand new Opel Corsa belonging to Operation Trident by residents of the informal settlement of Beverly Hills in Blompark, near Gansbaai on Friday.
The MARINES were acting on a tip-off received from an informant that a vehicle-load of abalone was in transit in the area.
When the officers stopped the car and, on finding the abalone, tried to arrest the driver and confiscate the vehicle, they were mobbed by the crowd which had gathered.
When Johan Erasmus of the unit let off a hand-held flare in defence, rocks hailed down on them and a number of vehicles, shattering many windows.
A fray ensued which was brought under control with difficulty and eventually the culprit and the vehicle were removed to the police station for the weekend.