Question NW749 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
15 April 2016 - NW749
Mncwango, Mr MA to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)With reference to the soldiers who are deployed in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and the Kruger National Park, what are the set rules of engagement (a) if deployed soldiers should come face to face with poachers and (b) regarding the tracking of suspected poachers; (2) what distances along the fences and/or borders of the specified game parks do the soldiers patrol (a) during the day and (b) at night on duty; (3) whether an officer of higher rank is involved in each patrol in order to ensure that the specified soldiers carry out their duties?
Reply:
The questions raised here have potential to compromise the operational integrity of the SANDF with regard to force deployment; force movement and tactical planning.
It is however suffice to say that the SANDF deploys in the National Campaign against Rhino poaching in support of other government departments as part of its constitutional mandate.