The Minister of Water
and Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa,
today welcomed the Phalaborwa Regional Court’s
decision to sentence three rhino poachers
to a maximum of 25 years imprisonment on
various counts.
The poachers, who are
from Mozambique, were sentenced yesterday
for illegal hunting of rhinos in the Kruger
National Park in 2010. The convicted rhino
poachers are Aselmo Baloyi, Jawaki Nkuna
and Ismael Baloyi. The accused were arrested
at Mooiplaas 18 months ago and one of the
accused attempted to escape, but was captured
and died in custody in 2011.
The court charges were
as indicated below:
1. Illegal hunting of
a rhino - 10 years imprisonment with an
option of a R100 000 fine.
2. Possession of a prohibited
firearm (automatic rifle) - 15 years imprisonment.
3. Possession of a firearm
(hunting rifle ) – 8 years imprisonment.
4. Possession of ammunition
– 15 years imprisonment.
Counts 2,3 and 4 will
run concurrently, which means that both
accused have been sentenced to an effective
25 years.
Minister Molewa believes
the court sentence will send a strong message
and hopefully act as a deterrent to poachers
and would be poachers. It is hoped that
this sentence coupled with anti-poaching
activities that the government has embarked
on with various law enforcement agencies
will act as a deterrent to poachers.
Earlier this year, the
Minister reiterated government’s commitment
to the fight against rhino poaching. . “I
would like to assure you that the government
of South Africa views the illegal killing
of this national treasure in a very serious
light and will continue to prioritise our
fight against this crime jointly with our
law enforcement agencies. We will continue
to implement the various initiatives highlighted
last year, while putting in place added
measures to address this matter,” she said.
The court sentence came
at a time when government has started stepping
up measures to combat the tide of rhino
poaching. The measures include the return
of South African National Defence Force
(SANDF) to monitor the 350km of national
border in Kruger National Park and other
country borders and the deployment of conservation
specialists at ports through which the internation
trade in endangered species can be exported
and imported.
The Department and SANParks
are also in the process of beefing up patrols
in the Kruger National Park by deploying
an additional 150 rangers. There are also
ongoing bilateral engagements between South
Africa and Mozambique to deal with the cross-border
law enforcement
South Africans are also
urged to report any illegal rhino activities
that they are aware of to 0800 205 n005.
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MEDIA BRIEFING AT ENVIRONMENTAL
COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT LEKGOTLA
The Deputy Minister
of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice
Mabudafhasi will address media at a media
briefing on the first day, 05 March 2012,
of the Environmental Compliance and Enforcement
Lekgotla in Polokwane, Limpopo.
The Lekgotla takes place
from 05 – 09 March 2012 in Polokwane and
will see the Environmental Management Inspectorate
(EMI), popularly known as the Green Scorpions,
converge to discuss issues, undergo training
and attend workshops.
The Environmental Management
Inspectorate is a network of environmental
compliance and enforcement officials from
different government departments (national,
provincial and municipal). The Green Scorpions
were established in terms of an amendment
to the National Environmental Management
Act (NEMA).
By the end of the 2010
/ 2011 financial year there were 1076 EMIs
in South Africa. EMIs monitor compliance
with and enforce the specific environmental
legislation they have been mandated to enforce
in their designations by the Minister or
relevant MEC.
“Pause, Hold, Engage
– Green Scorpions: Half a Decade On,” is
the theme under which the Lekgotla will
be convened. The theme is appropriate as
the Green Scorpions will also use this opportunity
to reflect on the five years of their existence.
2011 marked five years since the commencement
of operations by the Inspectorate.
