Success Reports
A verified record of every operation, seizure, and arrest. Building public trust through undeniable evidence.
Illegal Crayfishing Bust — Umkomaas MPA
On the night of 1 April 2026, CMTF received information regarding suspected illegal crayfishing activity within the Umkomaas Marine Protected Area. The team deployed and conducted surveillance before moving in on the suspects.
Anti-Poaching Night Operation — Umkomaas Marine Protected Area
During a routine night patrol conducted within the Umkomaas Marine Protected Area, CMTF patrol members observed suspicious activity and initiated an enforcement operation targeting illegal fishing within the protected zone.
Sezela Dam Anti-Poaching Operation
CMTF responded to reports of active gillnetting at a local dam in Sezela. Upon arrival, the team discovered an extensive gillnet operation targeting the dam's freshwater fish population.
Joint Anti-Poaching & Illegal Gillnetting Operation — Umgeni River Estuary
CMTF conducted a joint anti-poaching and illegal gillnetting operation at the Umgeni River Estuary. The operation was intelligence-driven following multiple tip-offs from community informants regarding sustained illegal gillnetting activity in the estuary.
Gillnet Suspect & Animal Cruelty Arrest — Illovo River
Following complaints from members of the public about active illegal gillnetting at the Illovo River, CMTF immediately mobilised and responded. Upon arrival, the suspect was placed under surveillance before CMTF deployed a boat to approach and intercept.
Operation Amanzimtoti River Mouth
CMTF successfully concluded an enforcement operation at the Amanzimtoti River Mouth following intelligence received regarding illegal gillnetting and encampments along the river. The operation was led by CMTF in collaboration with law enforcement agencies.
Marine Poachers Apprehended — Park Rynie Beach Night Operation
During a joint night patrol along Park Rynie Beach, CMTF's 'Eye in the Sky' aerial surveillance team identified five individuals actively harvesting marine life from the rocky shoreline. Intelligence was immediately relayed to Scottburgh SAPS who responded promptly.
Chinese Nationals Apprehended — Widenham/Umkomaas Beach Night Operation
Following intelligence received from Gladiator Security, CMTF mobilised a coordinated anti-poaching operation along the Widenham/Umkomaas Beach area. Chinese Nationals were exploiting full moon visibility and spring low tide conditions to illegally harvest marine life from the rocks.
1km Gillnet Removal & Boat Confiscation — Richards Bay Harbour
Following reports of illegal gillnetting in Richards Bay Harbour, the Richards Bay CMTF Anti-Poaching Response Unit (APRU) immediately responded. Although the poachers evaded arrest, the operation resulted in a significant seizure of equipment and the safe release of numerous fish.
Richards Bay Harbour Gillnet Removal
Following reports of illegal gillnetting in Richards Bay Harbour, the Richards Bay CMTF team — also known as the Anti-Poaching Response Unit — immediately responded to the intelligence tip-off.
Crayfish & Shad Poaching Bust — Widenham Beach
Reports were received from members of the public regarding active crayfish poaching at Widenham Beach. An individual was seen arriving on a motorbike and leaving the area with bags suspected to contain crayfish. AT Security and CMTF were alerted and responded.
Illegal Crayfish Sellers Apprehended — Roseneath
A swift and coordinated response between AT Security and CMTF led to the successful apprehension of two suspects attempting to illegally sell East Coast Rock Lobster (crayfish) near a local garage in the Roseneath area.
Toti River Gillnetting Bust — Amanzimtoti
CMTF responded to reports of illegal gillnetting at the Toti River in Amanzimtoti. The team, along with partner agencies, conducted an operation targeting active illegal gillnetting in the estuary.
Crayfish & Shad Poaching Operation — South Coast
After numerous tip-offs and complaints regarding crayfish and shad poaching along the South Coast, CMTF launched a targeted enforcement operation in collaboration with DFFE compliance officers.
Shad Closed Season Enforcement — Inyoni Rocks & Isipingo Beach
Following numerous reports of fishermen catching shad during the closed season, CMTF members from both the Isipingo and Umkomaas teams joined forces at Inyoni Rocks to investigate, before moving on to Isipingo Beach.
Night Gillnet Removal — Isipingo Beach Lagoon (300m Net)
At 9:50pm, CMTF officers received a call from a resident reporting an active gillnetter in the Isipingo Beach Lagoon. Officers immediately responded and launched a boat to locate and remove the net.
Shad Closed Season Enforcement — Isipingo Beach & Amanzimtoti
Following reports from concerned residents about illegal shad fishing during the closed season, CMTF and DFFE planned a multi-location enforcement operation. The CMTF Isipingo team and DFFE officials met at 6:00am at Isipingo Beach before moving on to Amanzimtoti.
Shad Season Enforcement Operation — Umkomaas Pier
CMTF officers and DFFE officials conducted a joint early-morning operation at Umkomaas Pier to combat shad poaching during the closed season. The teams convened at 5:00am to inspect fishing licences and catches.
Gillnet Suspect Apprehended — Kingsway River Bridge, N2
CMTF received a call from the CCPO control room reporting a gillnet being set under the Kingsway River Bridge on the N2 freeway. Suspects were monitored while CMTF officers and ET Security responded to assist SAPS in making the arrest.
Gillnet Removal — Isipingo Beach Lagoon
During a routine patrol along Isipingo Beach lagoon, CMTF officers Uzzi and Zaheer spotted an illegal gillnet and immediately jumped into action to retrieve and remove it.
Fish Eagle Rescue — Toti Bridge Gillnet
A sharp-eyed CMTF officer spotted an illegal gillnet while driving over the Toti Bridge and noticed a fish eagle trapped in the net. He immediately jumped into action to rescue the bird and remove the illegal net.
Shad Poaching Operation — Umkomaas Beach
An intelligence-driven operation was conducted at Umkomaas Beach following reports of illegal shad poaching in the area.
Gillnetting Operation — Umgeni Estuary
Over a two-week period, members from Durban Metropolitan Police Coastal and Tourism worked on intelligence regarding illegal gillnetting activities within the Umgeni Estuary, culminating in an enforcement operation.
Bag Limit Enforcement — Toti Main Beach & Isipingo Beach
Following reports of overfishing and bag limits not being maintained at both Toti Main Beach and Isipingo Beach, CMTF planned and executed a targeted enforcement operation at both locations.
Night Operation — Illegal Gillnetting at Sezela Dam
Following a tip-off from a concerned local resident, CMTF officers and DFFE officials planned and executed a night operation at Sezela Dam to apprehend suspects engaged in illegal gillnetting and remove the illegal nets from the dam.
Octopus Over-Limit Seizure — High Rocks, Umkomaas
Following reports of crayfish poaching at High Rocks, Umkomaas, CMTF officers Tyrone and Travis responded immediately and observed suspects on the rocks before moving in to intercept.
Gillnet Removal — Isipingo Beach
CMTF members from the Isipingo branch identified and removed an illegal gillnet stretching approximately 150 metres from Bonito Avenue to Beach Road.
Night Gillnet Operation — Umkomaas River
Following reports from SAPPI SAICCOR employees of a gillnet placed in the Umkomaas River, CMTF immediately planned and executed a removal operation. The team waited for nightfall, deploying ET Security's thermal drone in the hopes of apprehending the suspects.
Umkomaas River Gillnet Operation — Caught in Broad Daylight
A local resident reported witnessing suspects brazenly laying out an illegal gillnet in the Umkomaas River in broad daylight at approximately 17:00 while walking their dog on Umkomaas Beach. CMTF responded rapidly to the tip-off.
Illegal Gillnetting Suspect Apprehended — South Coast
In the early hours of Wednesday, a suspect was apprehended at the scene of an active gillnetting operation along the South Coast. CMTF members responded rapidly after receiving a tip-off from a local fisherman.
Rocky Bay & Pennington Patrol — Permit Enforcement
Acting on information from the public, CMTF launched a sting operation to monitor fishing activities at Rocky Bay and surrounding areas. The team conducted thorough checks on fishing permits from the Pennington Skiboat Club to the Umkomaas launch site.