Game rangers out on patrol. Image: As originally published by The Witness
Chris Ndaliso, The Witness | February 12, 2022
Isimangaliso Wetlands Park in Umkhanyakude District Municipality has to contend with neighbouring communities who have poaching as their only means of survival.
Parliament’s environment, forestry and fisheries portfolio committee heard this week that poaching has resulted in the death of the son of a local induna.
His brother is still missing after a shoot-out with rangers, in a separate incident within the same year.
The Park’s chief executive officer Sibusiso Bukhosini told the committee that protected areas continued to suffer severely from incidents of poaching from criminal syndicates and local communities who poach mainly for their livelihoods.
Bukhosini said Isimangaliso, with its rhinos, elephants, hippos and other animal species, was no exception.
“Engagements with local community leaders reveal that the Nibela community in the wilderness area, just north of Tewate Bay, is one of the most impoverished communities with limited opportunities to support their livelihoods. The park remains the sole area where they can go for illegal activities to earn a living,” said Bukhosini.
He said as part of circumventing the dire poverty in the Nibela community, the park has redirected four alien plant clearing contracts to be distributed to the community.
Each contract will employ 12 local people, he said.
He said in September 2020 the first son was killed in a shoot-out with field rangers during a suspected poaching expedition.
Bukhosini said when the suspected poachers were instructed to surrender, they allegedly opened fire and the rangers retaliated, killing the man.
On November 12, field rangers clashed with four suspected poachers. One suspect opened fire and the rangers shot back and hit the man, who fell into the water. The suspect was later identified as the brother of the suspected poacher who was killed in the earlier incident.
“The other three suspects escaped as the rangers were searching for the one who fell into the water. Search and rescue units were deployed in search of the wounded suspect but he could not be found. The person might have been taken down by crocodiles, or he may have swum away and across the lake successfully and be in hiding until the matter subsides, fearing prosecution. It is necessary to highlight that in 2009, two Mdluli brothers were arrested and convicted of black rhino poaching and were sentenced to eight years,” Bukhosini said.
The People and Parks Programme (P&PP) committee member Nkululeko Mdluli said relations between the community and the parks management were strained, but leadership from both sides were working towards finding a solution.
The programme was formed in 2003 to represent people living near parks in matters affecting both parks and immediate communities.
Mdluli said the families and the park were engaging on both incidents.
“Isimangaliso committed towards working with the family and the community to unearth the truth of what actually transpired during the incident where Thulani Mdluli was killed. Isimangaliso management visited a community meeting to hear the feeling of the community members regarding this issue. [At] that meeting, the investigation team from SAPS was also present to give clarification on the status of the investigation. The CEO (Bukhosini) has assisted the family during the mourning period with groceries and R3 000 to buy airtime during this period. The leadership of Isimangaliso is trying all possible avenues to assist the family to get justice in this matter,” said Mdluli on Friday.
Isimangaliso spokesperson Bheki Manzini said the district was sitting at about 42,8 % of unemployment and that about 51 % of the unemployed are young people.
“The district is one of the identified poverty nodes and there are no industries on this side of the province. We are building partnerships with municipalities so that when we plan, we present an integrated programme for all. For now, this region is dependent on tourism for jobs,” said Manzini.
