Johannesburg attorney Christopher Bean, Democratic Alliance Shadow Deputy Minister Environmental Affairs Terri Stander and Allison Thomson of OSCAP have all lodged complaints at the Public Protector’s office requesting urgent investigations into claims that SANParks has sold rhino.
“SANParks’ plan to remove over 500 rhinos from the Kruger National Park - and place them in ‘secret locations' - is mired in controversy,” says Stander.
Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa confirmed last week that Cabinet had approved the relocation of five hundred rhinos in order to ensure their ‘continued safety’ during to the escalating poaching crisis in the Kruger.
However, according to research conducted by Oxpeckers.org, a center for investigative environmental journalism, SANParks signed contracts for the sale of 260 of these rhinos with three hunting safari companies in the Northern Cape, namely Winterhoek Safaris, Chapunga Safaris and Steyn Safaris.
When questioned about these contracts, spokesperson for SANParks Rey Thakhuli told Tourism Update: “SANParks has had transactions with lots of businesses and we are not at liberty to divulge who we are doing business with.”
He also said that no rhinos had been evacuated and/or sold as yet.
According to Thakhuli, SANParks always ensured the safety of its rhinos by investigating some key points before translocation. These points are: 1) historical range of habitats, 2) suitable habitat present, 3) welfare considerations such as enough spatial scale for social interactions, 4) safety and security of rhinos, 5) the management experience of managers and/or owners, 6) legal histories of managers and owners and 7) logistical challenges.
The Ministry of Environmental Affairs has also stressed that the rhinos would not be relocated to hunting farms. Molewa said: “In terms of the integrated strategic management, interventions agreements will be entered into with the recipients of the translocated rhinos to ensure that the animals are not hunted as the objective of the management plan is to contribute to the growth of the rhino population.”
Molema has, however, admitted in to South African newspaper, Sunday Times, that Hector Magome, senior SANParks executive had been suspended because the SANParks Board had ‘issues’ about the procedures that were followed with the sale of the rhinos. Magome is believed to have signed the contracts for the sale of the rhinos to the three hunting companies at the end of 2013.
Thakhuli declined to comment on the suspension of Magome and said: “This an employee / employer matter which may not be discussed in public to avoid prejudicing either of the parties.”
