Question NW2125 to the Minister of Environmental Affairs

Reply:

I have not recently visited the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve personally to assess the escalating incidence of rhino poaching. However, I am briefed on a regular basis by my staff regarding pertinent issues and am satisfied that all roleplayers, but more specifically the South African Police Service (SAPS) which has included the area in Operation Rhino 7 is focusing its efforts to intensify rhino protection in order to address the escalating security situation on site. The South African Police Service is also working closely with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and other role players within the security structure to ensure that our protection efforts bear fruit.

My latest briefing in this regard highlighted that:

1. SAPS has already made extra capacity available and has undertaken the responsibility of patrolling the Corridor Road (R618);

2. a command and control facility has been initiated at Hluhluwe-IMfolozi Park, similar to the one at the Kruger National Park;

3. replacement of the Hluhluwe-IMfolozi Park boundary fence has commenced, with Smart Fencing Technology being piloted on certain sections;

4. observation towers have also been built and funding has been allocated via an external project to fund the capacity to carry out the monitoring and surveillance;

5. a helicopter is based at Mpila iMfolozi Game Reserve to ensure rapid response;

6. night operating equipment has been distributed to Hluhluwe-IMfolozi operations staff;

7. all Hluhluwe-IMfolozi gates have monitoring systems in place;

8. a human resource redeployment and recruitment plan has been developed and submitted for implementation and funding to address operational vacancies;

9. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is in the process of dehorning identified, strategic small rhino populations in KwaZulu-Natal; and

10. the Provincial Cabinet has resolved to set up a task team via the KwaZulu-Natal Joint Crime Prevention Cluster, to investigate possible actions to combat and refocus efforts to tackle the increased poaching of rhino in KwaZulu-Natal. This task team has a six months mandate to come up with recommendations to the Provincial Cabinet.

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