Question NW1823 to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
03 September 2021 - NW1823
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
In light of the statement issued by her department on 31 July 2021 (details furnished), what (a) number of the 125 persons arrested during the six months’ period of January to end of June 2021 are repeat offenders and (b) is her department doing to address the increase in rhino poaching and rhino trafficking?
Reply:
The information requested on repeat offenders resides with the South African Police Service (SAPS). The SAPS is the custodian of the Crime Administration System (CAS), which captures all the criminal cases across the country and reflects the “repeat offended’ status.
The increase in rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking is being addressed through a multidisciplinary Integrated Strategic Management approach and in line with the National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking (NISCWT).
Furthermore, the introduction of the seven integrated wildlife zones across the country has strengthened the coordination between the public and private partners operating in these areas. The necessary resources are being redirected to areas most in need of support and lessons learnt are being shared, including those related to the use of appropriate technologies to ensure surveillance, early warning and detection. The sharing of real-time information between these partners is resulting in the ability to proactively deploy in specific areas and to react quickly to report in a coordinated manner.
An additional step is being taken by SANParks, provincial nature reserves and private rhino owners who are dehorning rhinos in an effort to deter poachers, and protect the iconic animals from being killed for their horn.
SANParks is also investing in guarding rhinos through planned intensive monitoring which complements anti-poaching initiatives that focus on apprehending poachers. The Kruger National Park is currently investing in a layered approach to protect rhinos in the core rhino areas using integrated technologies and establishing a programme to improve staff integrity and morale.
Through the Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has increased analysis capability to provide support at a tactical level, as well as in relation to investigations. This has boosted anti-poaching at a tactical level and introduced integrated information-led enforcement. This work further strengthens the essential collaboration with the SAPS, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS), the Department of Justice and other sectors of the security cluster to gather, analyse and share intelligence on wildlife traficking so that international syndicate-related crimes can be dealt with effectively.
Regards
MS B D CREECY, MP
MINISTER OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
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