[pic]
Ref: 02/1/5/2
MINISTER
QUESTION NO. 56 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
A draft reply to Mr K A Sinclair (COPE-NC) 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 COUNCIL OF PROVINCES (For written reply)
QUESTION NO. 56
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 4 OF 2013 CW103E
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 8 March 2013
Mr K A Sinclair (COPE-NC) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental
Affairs:
(1) Whether, with reference to crimes against nature, the National
Wildlife Crime Reaction Unit (NWCRU) is operational; if not, what is
the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details.
(2) Whether all provinces seconded qualified investigators to the NWCRU;
if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details.
(3) Whether the Government has found the progress made in terms of the
functionality and coordination between the various agencies that are
involved in the fight against the killing of rhinos and poaching of
protected species to be satisfactory; if not, what is the position in
this regard; if so, what are the relevant details.
Mr K A Sinclair (COPE-NC)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS
THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
1) Yes. The National Wildlife Crime Reaction Unit has been established as a
permanent structure and is operational.
2) Yes. Provinces seconded qualified investigators to the interim unit;
they continue to carry out their functions as part of the transition from
the interim to the permanent unit.
3) Yes. The progress made in terms of the functionality and coordination
between the various agencies that are involved in the fight against the
killing of rhinos and poaching of protected species is considered to be
satisfactory. There are a number of initiatives that have been undertaken
jointly by government departments which led to increased arrests and that
has as a result made greater impact. The department is now receiving and
providing updates on all rhino matters on a regular basis through a joint
committee and is interacting with public and private agencies on a larger
scale.
---ooOoo---