rhino summit key actions emanating from discussions on 22 may 2013

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5. Law Enforcement 6. Weapons for War and tactics 7. Alliance Formulation Government needs to check visitors in terms of their reasons for being in the country and past criminal checks. The Sentencing process should be made that it’s high so that poachers know the consequences. How can you involve community The community should be allowed to comment and contribute to the plans and interventions.. We will need to increase law enforcement results by increasing sentencing so that people can see how serious the repercussions can be. It was commented that the department of justice supports the criminals with lawyers. Suggestion to treat criminals just like how international law enforcement treats criminals. Require sophisticated equipment and training to fight poachers. Community involvement in the form of conducting fence patrols. All <strong>rhino</strong>s must be inserted with micro-chips. The de-horning of <strong>rhino</strong>’s has decreased poaching in other conservation agencies. However, this has a negative advantage on tourism. Investigate what is going on at airports in terms of how the horns are passing through airports. Investigate whether it is possible to weight the people coming into the country such as probing them on past criminal involvement, their reason for being in the country, etc. Suggestion that <strong>rhino</strong> trading be legalized in which parameters will be set to catch the poachers out. Legal <strong>rhino</strong> horn trade can reduce poaching. It is important for relationships to be established among the South African government, NGO’s and Communities in order to cultivate a sense of teamwork and togetherness in the fight against <strong>rhino</strong> poaching. In strengthening relationships, the following strategic alliances can be formed among all <strong>key</strong> stakeholders considering that this a joint effort: Alliance between the Communities adjacent to the reserves and the Reserve Management (Conservation Agency); the sharing of benefits and losses is crucial for good relations. Suggestions including the Anti-poaching Unit, Community Development Unit (Awareness in community schools, churches, environment clubs, traditional leadership), and Park Forums (used to deliver messages). Alliance between the Amakhosi and Traditional Healers to the Community; the Amakhosi are responsible for re-introducing the culture of Ubuntu amongst community members. Alliance between the Amakhosi and Traditional Healers to the Conservation Agency. It is suggested that Healers must be officialised within the communities in the form of formally appointing them as Healers via formal training in order to eradicate criminal healers. Alliance by all stakeholders mentioned above with the South African Police. Involvement in Police Forums. Alliance by the Conservation Agency and Public Prosecutors. Communities with no Inkosi such as townships, should also be considered in the formation of alliances; this includes Councillors and other strategic partners.
QUESTIONS 1. How do we deal with the suspicion that field rangers working within conservation areas are involved in poaching 2. If there is information in the community, who can the community contact to take action so as to enable speedy reaction to the situation 3. There is no structure for reporting; who is the community to engage with as there are field rangers, police, soldiers, government police, etc Who responds 4. Who to trust in the Reserve to whom the community can report the issues 5. The Rhino Summit lacked representation by the SANDF, NPA, etc. Should they not have been invited 6. We hear you that Amakhosi are saying we must contribute as the poachers come <strong>from</strong> the community. It would be nice if someone is caught, then it’s nice to say that the poacher is coming <strong>from</strong> a specific inkosi area Can the conservation agency not be able to identify where the person is coming <strong>from</strong> in view of the source of poachers This is the type of information required by Amakhosias feedback <strong>from</strong> investigations. 7. Can the tracking methods and skills of Traditional Healers not be used in the fight against poachers 8. Induna is not in the township, how will the Inkosi talk to people in the townships as these places are headed by councillors 9. How safe is the community member It was commented that it is very hard for the community to come out especially because they are not protected at home 10. What is making it difficult for the community to inform the conservation agencies about their suspicions What makes it difficult for the community not to come forward 11. This forum is unrepresentative of the SANDF, NPA, who are not available. This needs to be national problem. What do you do to close the market and make it a national thing 12. Why can’t Ezemvelo make a promise to commit to the community financially as a means of reducing poaching 13. Suggestion to breed <strong>rhino</strong>’s at an increased level to meet the demand <strong>from</strong> the international market. The feeling was that, even if the community did make a contribution, this would not resolve the problem. The <strong>rhino</strong>’s could be dehorned, the horns sold individually and the black market sales would be reduced. 14. Mozambique and Swaziland are connected CONCLUSION The plan of action and intervention will require implementation by Communities, Amakhosi, Izinduna, Traditional Healers, Conservation Agencies and the required stakeholders so that the next Rhino Summit will focus on evaluating the <strong>actions</strong> and interventions that have been successful in the fight against <strong>rhino</strong> poaching .
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Page 3: 2. Intelligence The community must

rhino summit key actions emanating from discussions on 22 may 2013

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