Media Statement 4 September 2013

MINISTER MOLEWA COMMENDS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES FOR WORK WELL DONE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST RHINO POACHING
 

The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa, has welcomed the arrest of 24 alleged rhino poachers in the Kruger National Park, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo in the past two weeks.

The arrests bring to 191 the number of suspected rhino poachers arrested across the country since 1 January 2013.

The law enforcement agencies, and rangers in the Kruger National Park, are commended for their actions and commitment to the fight against rhino poaching.

The arrests happened amidst the increasing number of poaching incidents reported in South Africa.

The total number of rhino poached since the beginning of the year has increased to 618.
The Kruger National Park continues to bear the brunt of rhino poaching, with 381 rhino having been killed for their horns since January.

Among the total number of rhino poached, 64 have been killed in Limpopo, 62 in KwaZulu-Natal, 62 in North West and 42 in Mpumalanga.

South Africans are encouraged to continue supporting the work of the security forces, rangers and conservationists. The commitment to conservation requires the support of everyone in order to stem the tide of rhino poaching.

South Africans are urged to report incidents of poaching and tip-offs to the anonymous tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or Crime-Line on 32211.