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Ref: 02/1/5/2
MINISTER
QUESTION NO. 2615 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
A draft reply to Mrs M Wenger (DA) to the above-mentioned question is
enclosed for your consideration.
MS NOSIPHO NGCABA
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DATE:
DRAFT REPLY APPROVED/AMENDED
MRS B E E MOLEWA, MP
MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
DATE:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
(For written reply)
QUESTION NO. 2615 {NW3102E}
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 32 OF 2013
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 11 October 2013
Mrs M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
1) What steps has (a) her department and (b) the SA National Parks
(SANParks) taken to prevent rhino poaching;
(2) What steps will (a) her department and (b) SANParks take in future to
prevent rhino poaching?
2615. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS REPLIES:
1 (a) The Department of Environmental Affairs has taken the following
steps:
⢠Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with the
Republic of China and Vietnam;
⢠The MoU between Lao and South Africa has been finalised and is
awaiting signature;
⢠Draft MoU with Cambodia, Thailand and Mozambique developed,
negotiated, and awaiting finalisation;
⢠The implementation of a joint approach has been approved by the
recent SADC meeting of Ministers of Environments, and the
process is underway;
⢠Review of the National Strategy for the Safety and Security of
Rhinoceros Populations in South Africa initiated to address
emerging issues; and
⢠Legislative interventions such as:
o The amended Norms and Standards for the marking of rhinoceros
and rhinoceros horn, and for the hunting of rhinoceros for
trophy hunting purposes, has been published in the government
gazette and are being implemented;
o The implementation of the Black Rhino Biodiversity Management
Plan (BMP) (a provision in terms of the Biodiversity Act) is
underway;
o The White Rhino BMP is in the process of being developed; and
o Amendments were made to the National Environmental Management:
Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No 10 of 2004), to address most of
the challenges relating to the permitting system, with respect
to the listed threatened or protected species (for example,
rhinoceros) and alien and invasive species.
(b) SANParks has taken the following steps:
⢠The Ranger Corps and associated divisions were reorganised into
an antiâpoaching force with unified command;
⢠A Joint Operation Centre (JOC) was established to ensure 24/7
command and control of operations;
⢠Cooperation and communication with all members of the task force
(SANDF and SAPS) were streamlined;
⢠Twelve renewal/expansion projects are being executed focused on
radio communication, the air capability, the canine component,
the Special Ranger force, Protection Services and specialised
equipment;
⢠More than a dozen training courses were presented to ensure
special skills development;
⢠Alliances with private reserves on the Western boundary were
concluded as part of the âbuffer zoneâ concept to ensure
intelligence, early warning and disruptive engagement with
poachers in those parks;
⢠Community programs were intensified to enhance cooperation and
intelligence sharing;
⢠Three projects were launched in Mozambique:
o Cooperation with the Limpopo National Park to ultimately allow
for joint cross border operations;
o Cooperation with the Concessionaireâs in Mozambique, adjacent
to the south eastern areas of the KNP, yet again according to
the âbuffer zoneâ concept; and
o Operation LEBOMBO has been conceptualised and discussed with
the Mozambican Authority, and will be launched before the
festive season;
⢠The resettlement of the seven villages out of the Limpopo
National Park is been pursued as priority with the Mozambique
government.
2. (a) DEA
⢠The department will continue with the implementation of the
joint strategy with all other affected government departments,
including law enforcement agencies; and
⢠The department will implement key recommendations emanating from
the Rhino Issues Management process, including the establishment
of a National Rhino Fund, to assist in the implementation of key
interventions.
(b) SANParks
⢠Execute the three year plan to build an anti-poaching capability
addressing people, including leaders, organisations and
processes, sustainment, training, equipment (including
technology) and doctrine;
⢠Continue with the Mozambique initiatives as well as new
projects;
⢠Improve the flow and processing of crime intelligence;
⢠Work towards an integrated Government approach, resulting in
more resources dedicated from more departments;
⢠Establish Intensive Protection Zones in areas where the biggest
Rhino populations are found;
⢠Continue investigations into asset management â options related
to the Rhino horn;
⢠Implement technology solutions; and
⢠Ensure total access control including the two international
border posts
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