Drop in KZN rhino poaching figures
This is a decline of 175 animals compared to the 2018 figure of 769
MINISTER of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), Barbara Creecy, says 594 rhino have been poached in South Africa during 2019.
This is a decline of 175 animals compared to the 2018 figure of 769.
This is the fifth consecutive year that a decline in the poaching numbers has been reported.
KwaZulu-Natal had a decline of nine deaths with 133 rhinos being poached in 2019.
Creecy says the drop in poaching is a reflection of the diligent work of the men and women who put their lives on the line daily to combat rhino poaching, often coming into direct contact with ruthless poachers.
A total of 2 014 incursions and poacher activities were recorded in the Kruger Park, and a total of 327 rhino were lost last year.
Arrests
A number of successes have been recorded in combatting rhino poaching owing to the joint and integrated work of law enforcement entities, including the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit of SAPS, the Hawks, SANParks, provincial park authorities and environmental management inspectors (Green Scorpions), and customs and the National Prosecuting Authority.
Last year 178 alleged poachers were arrested in the Kruger National Park.
At a national level, 332 arrests were made in respect of both rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking, and 57 major investigations were undertaken across the country.
A total of 85 firearms were recovered during the year.
The arrests have resulted in a number of convictions, while various high profile cases are presently before the courts.
The courts handed down sentences ranging from two to five years to 75 poachers, six to 10 years and 11 to 15 years to 32 poachers each.
Six poachers received sentences of more than 15 years imprisonment.
High-profile cases on the court roll for 2020
State v Gwala and others (Mtubatuba Regional Court). Trial date: 7 February.
State v Mandla Mashele and Kelvin Malapane (Daveyton Magistrate’s Court). Trial date: 12 February.
State v Landela (Skukuza Regional Court). Trial date: 19 February.
State v Nyalungu and 9 others (Nelspruit Regional Court). Provisional date for trial is 25 May.
State v Petrus Sydney Mabuza and Jospeh Nyalunga (Mbombela High Court). Trial date: 25 May – 19 June.
State v Petrus Sydney Mabuza, Nozwelo Mahumane, Moshe Thobela and Romez Khoza (Mbombela High Court).
Trial date: 27 July – 14 August.
Elephant poaching
The department reported that 31 elephants have been poached in South Africa last year.
Of these, 30 were in the Kruger Park and the other in Mapungubwe National Park.
This is a decrease in the number of elephant poached. In 2018 71 elephants were killed for their tusks.
Members of the public can report any suspicious activities around wildlife to its environmental crime hotline 0800 205 005 or the SAPS number 10111.
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