Anti-poaching initiatives must back-up rural safety plan

7 June 2021

As stealing of flora and fauna in the Kamiesberg municipal area and its surrounds escalates, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape is calling on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to upscale anti-poaching initiatives in the province.

The DA has noted with concern an uptake in the poaching of rare plant and animal species such as reptiles, that are unique to the Kamiesberg and Richtersveld area. We have it on good authority that the Springbok Stock Theft and Threatened Species unit, which is managed by only five members, is currently handling around 130 related cases.

Poachers are increasingly encroaching on private property to acquire rare species, further placing safety of rural communities at risk. Not long ago, there was a case in the Kamiesberg whereby a farmer’s family, who stumbled upon poachers, was attacked.

The situation is a growing threat to rural communities and must be urgently addressed as part of the rural safety plan.

There is clearly no balance between the number of members tasked to address poaching and the actual incidence of crime. The Springbok unit, for example, must service 16 police stations. However, just three of the five members have drivers’ licenses. There is also only one bakkie available because the other two vehicles have been standing in the garage for the past three months.

The DA will liaise with acting provincial Police Commissioner, Major-General Henriette de Waal, to provide better support to the anti-poaching policing unit.

The poachers and smugglers are not just individuals, who are unemployed and trying to put bread on the table. There is a very real threat of syndicates being involved, creating additional risks that SAPS cannot afford to ignore if the province’s natural heritage, as well as people, are to be protected.

Issued by Veronica van Dyk, DA Constituency Head of Kamiesberg, 7 June 2021