National Assembly:   18 August 2009

Madame Speaker,

It is with great disappointment that parts of our protected areas continue to suffer big losses to poachers.

Newspapers have published disturbing reports of poachers having killed a sizable number of rhino in these protected areas. Protected areas that have suffered these unacceptable losses include the Kruger National Park, Thula Thula Game Reserve and Zulu Nyala Game Lodge.

These creatures are a source of great pride to South Africa. It is this country which assisted in nature conservation to protect wildlife and started distributing rhino, with the assistance of the WWF, to other parts of Africa and within South African provinces. Therefore our government should be trying harder to guard our borders and harbours to ensure that the culprits responsible for mowing down these animals purely for their horns are caught and brought to book.

A concerted and integrated effort is needed from many departments and stakeholders if real inroads are to be made in protecting our wildlife and stopping poachers from selling their ill begotten gains. If the legislation that we have in place is inadequate to deal with this scourge then we must strengthen it and ensure that the organizations tasked with protecting our wildlife and other natural treasures have the resources that they need to effectively perform their duties including funds and skilled staff.

Contact:
Inkosi RN Cebekhulu,    082 975 5107