NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
(For written reply)
QUESTION NO. 2326
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 29 of 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 20 November 2009
Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether her department has undertaken any initiatives in the current
financial year to reduce rhino poaching; if not, why not; if so, what
are the relevant details;
(2) (a) what are the suspected reasons for the high level of rhino
poaching since 1 January 2008, (b) how many (i) black and (ii) white
rhinos have been killed by poachers in national parks since 1 January
2009, (c) what is the breakdown of rhino poaching in each park, (d)
how many suspected rhino poachers have been arrested since 1 January
2009 and (e) what is the status of the investigation against each of
the suspected poachers?
NW3038E
Mr G R Morgan (DA)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS
2326. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1) The Department of Environmental Affairs has implemented various steps
to reduce the number of illegal killings of rhinoceros such as:
⢠The publishing of national norms and standards for the marking of
rhinoceros horn and the hunting of white rhinoceros for trophy
hunting purposes on 20 July 2009 to further regulate marking and
hunting of rhinoceros;
⢠The establishment of a national, multi-departmental biodiversity
investigators forum in March 2009 which had its first meeting in
May 2009. This Forum coordinates and acts as a contact point where
all biodiversity related law enforcement information could be
collected, accessed, distributed and tasked to specific subgroups
of the Forum. Provincial conservation and South African National
Parks investigators and police officers use the Forum to discuss,
share and exchange information on wildlife related law enforcement
organised crime incidents such as the increased illegal killing of
rhinoceros;
⢠The Department has approved the establishment of a biodiversity
enforcement unit to mainly coordinate and investigate biodiversity
related crimes on a national basis.
⢠A Departmental official participated in the International Criminal
Police Organization (INTERPOL) Wildlife Crime Working Groupâs
Meeting in Manaus, Brazil in September where law enforcement
officers from 29 INTERPOL Member States discussed Wildlife Crime
issues including the current illegal killing of rhinoceros and
smuggling of illegally obtained rhinoceros horn. This network
strengthens international cooperation against internationally
coordinated conservation crimes.
⢠SANParks has been mandated by the Minister to spearhead a rhino
anti-poaching task group focused on developing a strategic plan to
combat the upsurge in rhino poaching as a national initiative. This
initiative is currently underway.
⢠The law enforcement agencies (including the defense forces) of
Mozambique and South Africa have agreed to increase deployment of
personnel and patrols at the identified hot spots and this will be
followed by permanent deployment of SANDF personnel for border
patrols.
(2) (a) It is rather unclear as to what the drivers are exactly. What
is certain is that the demand is being driven by high international
(Far Eastern countries) demands whereby rather exorbitant prices
per kilogram are being offered internally within South Africa and
neighbouring African countries. The current dynamics driving the
high international demand is still unclear.
(b) (i) 1 black rhino.
(b) (ii) 40 white rhinos.
(c) Only Kruger National Park, with 41 rhinos being poached.
(d) 25 suspects.
(e) 20 of the accused are currently in custody pending completion
of the investigations process. 5 of the accused who could not be
linked directly to physical evidence linking them to the actual
rhino poaching incident in the KNP were nevertheless found guilty of
trespass in the KNP at the time of the incident and were given
suspended sentences and deported back to Mozambique.
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