thedrifter
02-03-06, 01:43 PM
03/02/2006 12:51 PM - (SA)
Suburban shootout
Hermanus Times, South Africa
A volley of gunshots in Eastcliff at approximately 23:15 on Tuesday night had terrified residents calling the police in panic.
Some even dived for cover under their beds, while others ran out to see the action. But the gunfire disappeared as suddenly as it came.
Reports differ as to how many shots were fired, the lowest estimate being nine and the highest 25.
Some residents initially thought the noise came from firecrackers.
But it wasn't criminals pulling the triggers. This time it was the Marines' anti-poaching unit.
A spokesperson for the Marines informed the Hermanus Times that they acted on a telephonic tip-off about three “shipments” of abalone from Gansbaai to the Strand.
One was intercepted in Gansbaai earlier the same day and five poachers were arrested, 2 684 perlemoen were seized and the vehicle confiscated.
The tip-off also described a white Mazda Midge with a CEY registration plate.
Intercepting a car of this description in Main Road, Voëlklip later that night, the Marines attempted to block its path, but the driver “put his foot down and sped off in the direction of the village”.
The Marines gave chase and the occupants of the Midge began throwing bags of perlemoen out of the windows. The car turned right at the Marine hotel into Eastcliff, taking the short-cut to the Main Road exiting Hermanus.
It was at this point that the Marines opened fire on the poachers, shooting three of the car's tyres. Undeterred, the driver continued at high speed on the wheels' rims. With the Marines on their tail, the poachers hurtled down Swartdam Road in an apparent attempt to lose their chasers in the back roads of Zwelihle.
Their plan backfired when they turned into a cul-de-sac and were forced to make a run for it.
One of the four was arrested, but the others escaped into the bushes.
Police spokesperson Eben Groenewald said they would soon be caught.
“We have one of them and it is clear that he will talk. He has no intention of taking the rap by himself.”
Meanwhile, as concerned residents learned that the Marines were responsible for the gunfire, fear turned to outrage.
An Eastcliff man, who does not wish to be identified, said it was “absolutely ludicrous” for law-enforcement officers to open fire “like cowboys” in a residential area. The poachers were unarmed.
But many say they don't care what methods are used to rid Hermanus of poachers.
“Do whatever it takes,” they say.
Suburban shootout
Hermanus Times, South Africa
A volley of gunshots in Eastcliff at approximately 23:15 on Tuesday night had terrified residents calling the police in panic.
Some even dived for cover under their beds, while others ran out to see the action. But the gunfire disappeared as suddenly as it came.
Reports differ as to how many shots were fired, the lowest estimate being nine and the highest 25.
Some residents initially thought the noise came from firecrackers.
But it wasn't criminals pulling the triggers. This time it was the Marines' anti-poaching unit.
A spokesperson for the Marines informed the Hermanus Times that they acted on a telephonic tip-off about three “shipments” of abalone from Gansbaai to the Strand.
One was intercepted in Gansbaai earlier the same day and five poachers were arrested, 2 684 perlemoen were seized and the vehicle confiscated.
The tip-off also described a white Mazda Midge with a CEY registration plate.
Intercepting a car of this description in Main Road, Voëlklip later that night, the Marines attempted to block its path, but the driver “put his foot down and sped off in the direction of the village”.
The Marines gave chase and the occupants of the Midge began throwing bags of perlemoen out of the windows. The car turned right at the Marine hotel into Eastcliff, taking the short-cut to the Main Road exiting Hermanus.
It was at this point that the Marines opened fire on the poachers, shooting three of the car's tyres. Undeterred, the driver continued at high speed on the wheels' rims. With the Marines on their tail, the poachers hurtled down Swartdam Road in an apparent attempt to lose their chasers in the back roads of Zwelihle.
Their plan backfired when they turned into a cul-de-sac and were forced to make a run for it.
One of the four was arrested, but the others escaped into the bushes.
Police spokesperson Eben Groenewald said they would soon be caught.
“We have one of them and it is clear that he will talk. He has no intention of taking the rap by himself.”
Meanwhile, as concerned residents learned that the Marines were responsible for the gunfire, fear turned to outrage.
An Eastcliff man, who does not wish to be identified, said it was “absolutely ludicrous” for law-enforcement officers to open fire “like cowboys” in a residential area. The poachers were unarmed.
But many say they don't care what methods are used to rid Hermanus of poachers.
“Do whatever it takes,” they say.