Cape restauranteur bust for lobsters, bribe

A Glencairn restaurant owner has been arrested for possession over 850 rock lobsters, and trying to bribe law enforcement officials.

Cape Town - A Glencairn restaurant owner who was unable to produce an invoice for over 850 rock lobsters in her possession and who attempted to bribe officers from Cape Town’s law enforcement marine unit, has been arrested.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the arrest took place on Saturday as officers, assisted by a Table Mountain National Park ranger, “turned their attention to the end of the value chain in the illegal rock lobster trade” and conducted restaurant inspections.

Smith said that at the Glencairn restaurant, officers “found 864 rock lobsters and the owner could not provide an invoice for the goods and offered the staff a R15 000 bribe.”

The owner was “arrested for possession of rock lobster without an invoice, possession of undersized rock lobster, and attempted bribery”.

Smith said this arrest was significant as it served a “timely reminder that poachers enjoy support even in the local market”.

ANA