Rhino Fridays

Comments by a man on the ground, Kruger National Park Ranger, Andrew Desmet -
''Of the poachers arrested, we find there are two kinds of poachers.
‘Those who are recruited by handlers and are from villages in Mozambique, th...ey have grown up in the bush and have excellent bush skills. They are seen as Robin Hoods in their communities.
... And those who are wanted for other crimes in South Africa, car hijackings, murders…… They are now turning to rhino poaching as it is far more lucrative.’’

Interviewer: ‘’What role does Mozambique play in this ? ‘’
Andrew Desmet : ‘’ Us on the ground, feel like we are not getting support. It’s almost like once the poachers get back across the border, they are home free. They are living quite comfortably, some of them are building big mansions, they seem untouchable.
What we are seeing, is that there are not enough arrests in Mozambique, their law also treats poachers differently to in South Africa, most only get away with a fine.
That’s why the poaching stems from there and the horns disappear to there because if they get caught with a horn on that side they get off a lot easier than they would in South Africa’’


Please join us today in a campaign to email South Africa’s Department Of Environmental Affairs ( DEA) asking them to please get the Memorandum Of Understanding ( MOU) between South Africa and Mozambique SIGNED !
Albi Modise – Chief Director: Communications/Spokesperson at National Department of Environmental Affairs
AModise@environment.gov.za

Also -

Mozambiques High Commissioner to South Africa, based in Pretoria.
Urge them to make rhino poaching a priority crime in Mozambique. ( currently it is considered a petty crime )

Please remember to keep it short and to the point.
Please do not be abusive or use strong language.
Please keep it as rational as possible, emotional ‘’bunny hugger’ outbursts are usually simply set aside.
A simple one liner ie ‘’Please stop our rhino from being poached’’ is better than nothing.

Your email message will be one more than they would otherwise receive.

High Commisioner - His Excellency, Fernando A Fazenda
Fax: +27 12 326 6388
Email: info@embamoc.co.za

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