Question NW2287 to the Minister of Environmental Affairs
28 August 2017 - NW2287
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
Whether any (a) investigations and/or (b) steps have been taken by her department to ascertain the involvement of a certain person (name and details furnished) who is allegedly in collusion with individuals accused of rhino poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horns; if not, what steps does her department intend to take; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(a) It is the mandate of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to investigate organised crimes such as rhino poaching; and
(b) In line with point (a), officials from the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) have communicated their concerns regarding the above matters to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (“the HAWKS”), and they also assist in coordinating efforts to investigate these matters through various structures that have been set up to curb these crimes.
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