A joint enforcement operation has secured the conviction of a plant poacher after 104 indigenous plants were stolen from Cape Town’s Bracken Nature Reserve.
Ashley Dirkse was convicted in the Kuils River Magistrate’s Court on 21 October 2026 for poaching the plants from the Brackenfell reserve on 20 May 2024.
The conviction followed collaboration between the City of Cape Town, CapeNature, Brackenfell SAPS, the SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit in Kuils River and the National Prosecuting Authority.
The species targeted were Drimia elata, commonly known as Jeukbol, a bulbous perennial flowering plant, and Pelargonium triste, known as Kaneeltjie, a tuberous perennial flowering plant.
Dirkse was sentenced to a fine of R80,000 or two years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of another offence relating to plants during this period.
The court also disqualified Dirkse for three years from obtaining any authorisation, licence or permit to enter a protected area or nature reserve in the Western Cape. The restriction also applies to authorisation or permits allowing him to pick flora in the province.
Importantly, the poached plants and bulbs were recovered, returned to Bracken Nature Reserve and replanted.
“We are very grateful that the poached plants and bulbs were returned and replanted in the Bracken Nature Reserve,” said City of Cape Town Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
“I also want to thank the staff members from the reserve who testified in court and were involved in securing this prosecution. Hopefully, this sends out a strong message to poachers.”
Plant poaching poses a threat to South Africa’s natural heritage because removing indigenous species from the wild can reduce plant populations, disturb habitats and compromise the ecological integrity of protected areas.
Andrews reminded members of the public that removing natural specimens from protected areas is an offence.
“I want to remind the public that it is a crime to remove any plants, animals, rocks, shells, or any natural specimen from our reserves, coastline, and protected areas,” he said.
CapeNature welcomed the successful prosecution and commended the officials and prosecutors involved in the case.
The conservation authority said the outcome demonstrated the value of coordinated investigations, conservation expertise and prosecution in tackling biodiversity crime.
CapeNature has committed to continuing its work with enforcement partners to investigate biodiversity crimes and bring offenders before the courts.
Members of the public are also being encouraged to play a role by reporting suspected plant poaching to SAPS and relevant conservation authorities.
Suspected biodiversity crimes in the Western Cape can be reported at a police station, to CapeNature on 087 087 9262 or through the Crime Stop Tip-Off Line on 08600 10 111.
