Clampdown on illegal plant sales

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife District Conservation officials - Kevin Green and Frans Mthembu with the confiscated indigenous Clivias illegally sold in Meerensee on Thursday

The Richards Bay community has taken a zero tolerance stance on the illegal sale of indigenous plants. This after residents notified the Zululand Observer of traders who were selling indigenous Clivia outside the Post Office in Meerensee on Thursday. Officials from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife swiftly intervened and confiscated the specially protected plant, which is indigenous to the Hammanskraal area. According to residents, the traders were selling ID covers as well as the indigenous plants in plastic packets. The latest incident follows the confiscation of 30 indigenous plants at various entrances of popular shopping centres last Friday. The indigenous Amaryllis bulbs and Clivia were sold in plastic bags, but traders reportedly did not have a legal permit from Ezemvelo KZN wildlife to sell the plants. Members of the public have been warned to refrain from purchasing indigenous plants being sold illegally. ‘Once arrested, they face charges of illegal possession of an indigenous plant, importation from Gauteng province without a permit and illegal dealing with a specially protected plant. ‘The public should rather purchase these plants at nurseries that hold legal permits to sell indigenous plants,’ said Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife District Conservation Manager, Frans Mthembu. The confiscated plants will now be transferred to the eNseleni Nature Reserve.