Question NW1142 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
25 April 2016 - NW1142
Mncwango, Mr MA to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)With reference to the soldiers deployed in Kwa-Zulu Natal game parks, (details furnished), (a) which game park has the highest poaching numbers and (b) what are the reasons for the highest number of poaching incidents; (2) whether she has found that the protection zones do not endanger the rhinos even more because the navigators of the poaching gangs know exactly where the rhinos are; (3) has the number of (a) soldiers and (b) rangers been increased and intensified in the specified protection zones; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) The SANDF is not in a position to comment on the poaching statistics in the game parks. These questions should be directed to SANPARKS.
(2) This question should be directed to SANPARKS.
(3) Soldiers of the SANDF are not deployed in the KZN game parks per se but are responsible for border safeguarding operations, amongst other, along the KZN-Mozambican border. It is for this reason that soldiers are not deployed in so-called protection zones either. Questions pertaining to the protection zones should be directed to SANPARKS.