Question NW1050 to the Minister of Environmental Affairs

Reply:

1. (a) (i) 2014-15: 14

         (ii) 2015-16: 44

         (iii) 2016-17: 148

(b) 2016/2017: R116 148 679.00 and 2017/2018: R112 013 603.00.

2. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife does have anti-poaching plans, and these are aligned to the National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) Strategy (National Strategy for the Safety and Security of Rhinoceros Populations in South Africa); and the Cabinet approved Integrated Strategic Approach for the Management of Rhinoceros, as well as the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Joints Instruction 3/2011 of 17 February 2011).

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has a three year strategy, 2014–2017, which is presently being reviewed, with assistance of Provincial Cabinet Task Team, six months review and assessment February to July 2017. The Strategy covers the following:

• Program Oversight.
• Liaison Strategic Liaison.
• Rhino Reserve Standard Operating Procedures.
• Rhino Awareness.
• Rhino Reserve Security Assessments.
• Operational Data and Information Systems Analysis.
• Population Analysis.
• Poaching Information Monitoring and Analysis.
• Horn Stockpile Management.
• Investigations and Case Management.
• Joint Crime Prevention Operations.
• Supplementary Funding and Administration.
• Reporting.

Furthermore, Ezemvelo KZN WIldlife has a specific objective to manage the poaching mortality rate of endangered species (rhino), and this includes an Annual Operation Plan as follows:

• Special Data Investigations Information and Intelligence.
• Special Operations on Project Investigations and Disruptive Operations.
• Prevention of Crime Access.
• Education and Awareness.
• Detectives Investigation Services.

The use of technology to support counter poaching and disruption operations is critical, as the majority of poaching is undertaken in the dark hours, even during no moon periods. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has identified the need to expand its technical ability to react to and detect incursions at night, which requires specialist technology and equipment for staff to operate at night. Whilst some of this technology is being supported by donors in its development and test phases, there is a need for a sustainable budget in order to operate and maintain the systems. These technologies focus on the early detection and rapid response in dark hours.

3. (a) (i) and (ii)

Ezemvelo does work with the private sector at a national, provincial and local level. This liaison does have a formal status with the Private Rhino Owners Association (PROA).

The private rhino owners are represented on the SAPS Provincial Priority Committee Rhino Poaching, which facilitates state security capacity.

Monthly tactical operations planning meetings are held with all rhino reserve managers, including private sector, for the alignment of joint operations, and/or to address high risk areas.

(iii) Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife does work with, and has agreements with, a number of Non-Government and/or Profit Organisations that fund and implement identified projects. The key agreements in place are with:

• Peace Parks Foundation;
• Wildlands Conservation Trust;
• African Wildlife Foundation; and
• Project Rhino.

Equipment has also been donated to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife on an ad hoc basis to address specific needs, for example, by the GEF-UNEP Rhino Programme (managed by the DEA and funding from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

(b) Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife forms part of the SAPS Operation Rhino Mission Area Joint Operations Command (MAJOC), which is a NATJOINTS (National Security and Joint Operational Structure) project that focusses on assisting with operations outside protected areas, and mainly on disruption and crime prevention operations and reactions. This MAJOC also assists with law enforcement along the corridor roads in KwaZulu-Natal’s rhino reserves.

ooOoo