Riversdale: As part of ongoing rural safety initiatives, Garden Route District police in collaboration with Cape Nature hosted a successful endangered species simulation exercise at the Riversdale Showgrounds on Friday, 22 August 2025. This event was initiated to assess resources available to curb the illicit trade and trafficking in endangered species.
According to South African Police Service, the event was attended by the 18 SAPS Rural Safety Coordinators attached to the District, Rural Safety Forums, Western Cape Provincial Traffic, Hessequa Municipal Traffic and Law Enforcement, and other strategic stakeholders in the farming community. Attendees were joined by investigators attached to Stock Theft and Endangered Species units from Worcester, Beaufort West, and Oudtshoorn, mostly responsible for investigations relating to stock theft and cases associated with endangered species. A large contingent from the agricultural community was in attendance.
Western Cape Provincial Head for proactive policing, Brigadier Zukiswa Matumbu, had nothing but praise for all the stakeholders who formed part of the integrated approach observed during the event. She reminded stakeholders of the importance of collaboration and highlighted successes achieved in the most recent past.