Victim Empowerment Programme to improve social crime prevention strategies

Victim Empowerment Programme to improve social crime prevention strategies

Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison will soon have a Victim Empowerment Programme [VEP] Unit, which will focus on supporting victims of crime.

This comes after a call made by the Premier of the province, Mr David Mabuza during his State of the Province Address where he made a call to the department to strengthen victim friendly facilities to provide necessary support to victims of crime.

In his address, the Premier highlighted that although the province has managed to reduce a number of crimes; the scourge of sexual crimes persists and has increased in the past year.

Head of Department, Mr. William Mthombothi says the department will on a contractual basis employ at least 130 assistant VEP coordinators to be deployed in police stations of the province and will work as volunteers who will receive R1 500 stipend on a monthly basis.

“Part of their duties, is to receive and give support to victims of abuse and rape in police stations before they open cases. They are expected to define the victims’ rights and also explain all the processes before SAPS and the courts take over.

Some of the stations, more especially the busy and those in problematic areas will receive the services of these coordinators 24 hours,” says Mthombothi.

He added that the department wanted committed people who will look beyond receiving the stipend but to assist the victims in order not to be subjected to secondary abuse,” adds Mthombothi.

He emphasizes that this programme will not only support the victims but it will come handy in ensuring that perpetrators of sexual abuse are prosecuted.

Mpumalanga to have a three day Indaba

The Mpumalanga House of Traditional Leaders is hosting a 3 day Indaba with the theme “Institutionalization of Traditional Leadership institutions towards 2030: Lessons learnt from 20 years of democracy”.

Deputy Minister of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Obed Bapela will deliver a keynote address. The National Chairperson of House of Traditional Leaders, Kgoshi PP Maubane and the Mpumalanga Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders Kgoshi LM Mokoena  are amongst the speakers. 

MPUMALANGA POLICE CHOIR SCOOP A CONSIDERABLE POSITION

MPUMALANGA POLICE CHOIR SCOOP A CONSIDERABLE POSITION

Nelspruit – on Tuesday 30 September 2014, the Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Thulani Ntobela congratulates the Mpumalanga SAPS for occupying a considerable position during the choral music competitions which held recently in the North West Province.

These competitions which held yearly under the banner of the Police Musical and Cultural Association (POLMUSCA) are part of effective initiatives that play a pivotal role in support of the organisation, not forgetting the immense benevolent contribution towards the well being of the members. POLMUSCA support crime prevention and social responsibility programmes which in times promote healthy community relations.

POLMUSCA was established in 1990 by former Major General Willie Ngobeni who was an icon in the then Gazankulu Police Force. During 1990 after the apartheid era ended, negotiations commenced regarding the new democratic South Africa. Commissioner Ngobeni had a thought that kept on echoing in his mind to merge all the different forces through choral music hence POLMUSCA which launched in 1993.

POLMUSCA National Unity festival held in different provinces annually and this year the North West was chosen as the province to host.

Mpumalanga obtained position five out of 10 choirs who participated in the event. The Provincial Commissioner is satisfied with the position but he encouraged the choristers to do better next year.

“Position five (05) is a considerable position taking into account the tightness of the competition however I am optimistic that Mpumalanga can perform better. I pride myself with the current status. On behalf of all the members in the province, I wish to extend my words of gratitude to you for your outstanding performance, we salute you ladies and gentlemen for a job well done”, said Lieutenant General Ntobela.

Those who were in attendance praised the festival which started on Thursday 25 September 2014 and ended on Saturday, 27 September 2014, as immaculate.

DAVIES LAUNCHES A R100 MILLION GOLD LOAN SCHEME TO SUPPORT JEWELLERY MANUFACTURERS

DAVIES LAUNCHES A R100 MILLION GOLD LOAN SCHEME TO SUPPORT JEWELLERY MANUFACTURERS

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies launched a R100 million Gold Loan Scheme to assist emerging and established gold jewellery manufacturers with their working capital loans and needs in Sandton Tuesday 30 September 2014.

The working capital loans under the scheme provided at a fixed interest rate of 3% per annum.

Addressing stakeholders at the launch, Minister Davies said the scheme originally identified in the Industrial Policy Action Plan to provide a facility production for gold manufacturers to access favourable loans and terms used in the jewellery production.

Davies said the intervention of R100 million will allow South African jewellers to grow, and be able to supply local retail sector and the export markets.

“The latest figures indicate that there are about 1000 jewellery manufacturers left in the country and that production is down to 3500 kilograms per annum from 7500 kilograms in 2004,” said Davies.

Davies also said the jewellery sector experienced imports exceeding R1 billion in 2013 while exports were sitting at R467 million in the same year. This is a contrast from imports of R280 million and exports of R466 million recorded in 2004. The Gold Loan Scheme will assist local manufacturers recapture a big local market which currently served by imported products as well as increasing exports to destinations such as the United States of America where our jewellery can enter duty-free under AGOA and other markets.  

“The new scheme is one of the many programmes that are used as interventions to support and grow the jewellery sector. the dti through numerous schemes has provided support to more than 60 emerging and established jewellery manufacturers in a number of global exhibitions and will continue to provide such support,” added Davies.

The Divisional Executive for Corporate Strategy at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Mr Shakeel Meer said manufacturing challenges need a holistic approach and programmes to address them.

“Working together with the manufacturing sector and identifying challenges that they have to deal with on a daily basis provided valuable input in the development of the Gold Loan Scheme,” said Meer.

Meer urged entrepreneurs to make use of the scheme and move the sector forward.

Application for the Gold Loan Scheme funding be done online or submitted to the IDC offices.

MEC Shongwe to address a public participation in Tonga

In a bid to garner community support in the fight against crime, Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison, MEC Vusi Shongwe will address a Public Participation Meeting (Imbizo) in Tonga (Nkomazi Municipality) on Saturday.

The Imbizo will further provide the community with an opportunity to make inputs on government’s plan of action and to ultimately enhance policies on crime prevention.

The imbizo is also expected to assist in strengthening the existing partnerships between government and communities in the fight against crime.
The event take place at Lambalati Sport Field at Nkomazi.

MINISTER DAVIES TO LAUNCH THE GOLD LOAN SCHEME FOR JEWELLERY MANUFACTURERS

MINISTER DAVIES TO LAUNCH THE GOLD LOAN SCHEME FOR JEWELLERY MANUFACTURERS

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies will launch the Gold Loan Scheme at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) offices in Sandton, Johannesburg on Tuesday, 30 September 2014. The Gold Loan Scheme of R100 million has been set up to provide working capital loans to gold jewellery manufacturers.

According to Minister Davies, funds for the scheme sourced from the Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP) Industrial Niche Projects Fund managed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

“The objective of the MCEP Industrial Niche Projects Fund is to provide funding to new, emerging or niche manufacturing sectors of which jewellery manufacturing is one of them,” he says.

He adds that funding from this scheme will only be available for manufacturing activities taking place in South Africa and only existing businesses funded.

“The applicant must possess requisite statutory approvals and documents for handling metals and must have adequate insurance against gold loss,” says Minister Davies.

Minister Davies added that the working capital loans under the Scheme provided at a fixed rate of 3% per annum.

SKUKUZA SAFARI LODGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPENS

SKUKUZA SAFARI LODGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OPENS

South African National Parks (SANParks) today announced that the Public Participation process for the Skukuza Safari Lodge which is expected to open on 1 October 2014. SANParks invites all members of the public to participate in this process in the interest of transparency.

Glenn Phillips, Managing Executive: Tourism Development and Marketing, said that the Skukuza Safari Lodge expected to be a 3 star facility with 128 rooms. The lodge will be located within the existing Skukuza Rest Camp next to the conference centre with the intention of extending itself to the conference delegates.

 Glenn Phillips said. “It will cater for the conference market but will also be available for public usage”.

“The area proposed for the Lodge is a disturbed area and will replace existing staff houses, maintenance workshops and a nursery which have been earmarked for relocation outside the camp. The lodge is also positioned at the rear of Skukuza camp for minimal impact on the existing bungalows,” said Phillips.

The design of the lodge focussed on a lodge-type environment as opposed to a normal hotel. The design is limited to 2 levels and will maintain the Kruger National Parks (KNP) typical architectural theme.

“SANParks has certain development standards that it needs to uphold, therefore this design will blend in with the environment, remain below the tree top canopy and use materials such as thatch which are typical of the bush style used in the KNP,” He said.

The Skukuza Safari Lodge expected to open in 2017. SANParks encourages all interested and affected parties to participate in the public consultation process. “The public is asked to be on the lookout for adverts in the local newspapers for more information on the Public Participation Process,” concluded Phillips.

PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS VISITS KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT

AL AFFAIRS VISITS KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

 by BRIAN KAJENGO

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs on Friday 26 September 2014 concluded a three day fact finding visit to the Kruger National Park (KNP).

During this visit, hosted by South African National Parks, the Committee inter alia visited the scene of a recently poached rhino in the south of the Park, and was also able to interact with members of the ranger corps who are in the forefront of the fight against rhino poaching.

According to Mr Jackson Mthembu, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee “This visit has given us a first-hand experience of the sterling work that is being done by SANParks, in conjunction with the SANDF, the SAPS and other partners in holding the line in the fight against rhino poaching.

“The rhino is not only a part of our natural and cultural heritage, but is also a key component of the Big 5 tourism product which underpins the tourism economy in the lowveld areas of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. The Kruger National Park plays an important role in supporting sustainable livelihoods of thousands of people in the vicinity of the Park, and we need to protect and expand this component now and into the future”

Part of the field trip undertaken by the Committee was to the Intensive Protection Zone of the Kruger National Park, utilising for the first time a new helicopter purchased from a grant provided by the Howard Buffet Foundation.

The helicopter puts certain advanced navigation systems at SANParks disposal for the first time enhancing operational capability in this regard.

The Chairperson of the Board of SANParks, Mr Kuseni Dlamini, welcomed the visit saying: “We are greatly encouraged by this visit of the Portfolio Committee, and believe that our interactions with the Committee will deepen the understanding of the Committee of the challenges that we face in the battle against rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park. We appreciate the on-going support we are receiving from the Portfolio Committee and recognise that interactions such as these play a major role in boosting the morale of the men and women who are engaged in the fight against rhino poaching on a daily basis.”

Captions:

Photos 0618 & 0621: Clockwise - Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee: Environmental Affairs, Mr Jackson Mthembu, and Deputy Director General: Biodiversity Management-Environmental Affairs, Mr Fundisile Mketeni and KNP Managing Executive, Mr Danie Pienaar

House robbers/rapists sentenced to life and 20 years in prison

House robbers/rapists sentenced to life and 20 years in prison

  

On Thursday 25 September 2014, the Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thulani Ntobela appreciates in jubilation the good working relationship shared between the police and the community in Mpumalanga. 

Lt Gen Ntobela’s appreciation stems from a number of arrests and convictions that the police have scooped in the province. The latest being the sentencing of three villains to life imprisonment and several years for each accused. 

Russell Mokoena aged 32, sentenced to life for rape, 15 years for house robbery and an additional seven years for house breaking. Mokoena was with Terry Maunye, 33 years of age and David Makwakwa 32, during the commission of these crimes. They too sentenced to life and 20 years for other crimes.

The sentencing of this trio evolved from a barbaric incident that occurred on 15 October 2012, at approximately 01:00, where a 28-year-old woman brutally raped in front of her husband and two children. The woman who is from Relane trust in Bushbuckridge told the Mhala Court that she was asleep with her husband and their children aged 7 and 12 years when they were awaken by a sound of footsteps in the house.

The trio described as heartless, accosted and threatened them with a pistol, screw driver and a broken beer bottle. They pointed the couple with the firearm, demanded cash and cellphones. 

It was during that incident that the three men took turns raping this woman. After the family’s ordeal, the accused locked them in the house and fled the scene with their keys, a plasma television, cellphones and cash. It later emerged that the suspect gained entry through a window.

When news broke, the community vowed that those involved arrested and their word became a reality when only a few days later they managed to spot the suspects and alerted the police. The three men arrested at their various hideouts.

Further investigations and DNA evidence confirmed the three men as the ones responsible for the vicious crime.

“This victory goes to the Bushbuckridge community, who worked tirelessly with the police in solving this matter. I am delighted to see citizens of this country particularly in Mpumalanga viewing crime as an unwanted act that ought to be rooted out. As the police in this province, we welcome the hefty sentences hanged on the necks of these senseless individuals and hope they will serve as a deterrent to other potential criminals,” said Lieutenant General Ntobela.

Suspect sought for shooting and injuring a policeman

Suspect sought for shooting and injuring a policeman

On Thursday 25 September 2014 the Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thulani Ntobela makes a plea to the public to help police to arrest a suspect who shot and seriously injured a police official on Tuesday, 23 September 2014.

According to reports, the police official who has been identified as 37-year-old Constable Mandlenkosi Thwala attended a stock theft complaint accompanied by Warrant Officer Phumulani Msimango, 47-years-old.

The two members, travelling together with a complainant and his wife, were conducting preliminary investigations when they went to a certain house at Mgobodzi in Tonga. On arrival, they found a man who pointed out by the complainant as the one who stole his goat. The police asked the man to show them where the goat or meat was and he told them to follow him.

The man allegedly produced a knife and ordered everyone to leave him alone. It’s further alleged that Const Thwala pulled out his service pistol and instructed the man to put down his knife. Apparently the man managed to grab Thwala’s firearm and shot him on his upper body. He then fled the scene.

The police have launched a manhunt for the suspect and request anyone who knows Kabi Mahlalela to contact them. The police also requests Mahlalela to go to Tonga Police Station as it’s believed that he can be valuable in solving this case.

 Anyone with information can contact their nearest police station or Lieutenant Colonel Reuben Pilusa at 076 412 3739. 

MINISTER DAVIES WARNED LOTTERIES BENEFICIARIES NOT TO ENRICH THEMSELVES WITH LOTTERIES FUNDING

MINISTER DAVIES WARNED LOTTERIES BENEFICIARIES NOT TO ENRICH THEMSELVES WITH LOTTERIES FUNDING

The National Lotteries Board (NLB) has a zero tolerance approach towards any irregularities that detected.  

This was the central message that the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies conveyed to a two day NLB Stakeholder Engagement Indaba held at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Boksburg.

He said the National Lotteries Distribution Fund is the largest single supporter of good cause activities in the country. The NLB has over the last 15 years distributed R18 billion and each year they distribute around R2 billion to such causes. Minister Davies however warned the beneficiaries that those who enrich themselves with lotteries funding will dealt with.

“Anybody who asks for funding for a particular purpose and uses it for self-enrichment will be dealt with, without fear or favour,” he said.

Minister Davies told the Indaba that the delay of beneficiaries’ approvals due to conflict of interest by the members of the Distributing Agencies and lack of quorums during adjudication meetings belongs to the past.

“We have decided that we will be appointing full time Distribution Agencies in an attempt to make the processes quicker and more efficient in terms of decision making. Also, no longer will it just be that a member of the Distributing Agency can recuse themselves if they have interest in a particular application. From now on, no member of the Distributing Agency will be allowed to have any interest what so ever with any project which is approved by the Lotteries Board,” added Minister Davies.

The National Lotteries Board Stakeholder Engagement Indaba will amongst others discuss the norms and standards. Minister Davies stated that these norms and standards are very important as they will promote accountability.

“As we broaden the reach of the Lotteries Funding, we need to make sure that the beneficiaries are actually doing what they are supposed to be doing. These norms and standards will therefore assist us in ensuring that the beneficiaries know what they should do,” stated Minister Davies.

Minister Davies also said that he will be announcing the new lottery operator within the next coming weeks.

 “The National Lotteries Board has done its own part regarding the next lottery operator as they have submitted their recommendations and the ball is in my court. I am committed to ensure that there is absolute integrity in the process of decision making about the next lottery operator,” added Minister Davies.

The licence of the current operator Gidani expires at the end of May next year.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROCUREMENT AWARDS

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROCUREMENT AWARDS

The 2014 State Owned Enterprise Procurement Forum (SOEPF), All about Public Procurement (AAPP) and Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) Africa’s Pan African Awards have opened for nominations.

The awards aimed at rewarding public and private sector procurement professionals and recognising excellent practices across the procurement profession.

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mzwandile Masina says the awards also aimed at rewarding and recognising procurement professionals and organisations doing excellent work.

“Public procurement is one of the key industrial levers in the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP), and State Owned Entities remain the main procurement catalysts. This therefore makes SOEPF a strategic partner to the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) to maximise support for local procurement and transformation,” adds Masina.  

The awards follow a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed by the dti and SOEPF in March last year, where it was agreed that SOEPF will serve as a strategic partner and an advisory to the dti regarding procurement matters. The purpose of SOEPF is to support the developmental agenda of the country; through implementation of policies such as but not limited to Broad- Based Black Economic Empowerment, Black Industrialists, Industry Policy Action Plan, Local Procurement Accord, competitive Supplier Development Plan and New Growth Plan

Members of the public can make nominations in these categories:

SOEPF TEAM CATEGORIES

·         Best Cross Functional Teamwork

·         Best Contribution to the Reputation of the Procurement and Supply Profession

·         Best Procurement and Supply Consultancy Project of the Year

·         Best Public Sector Procurement and Supply Project

·         Best Supplier and Enterprise Development Project

·         Best Supplier Relationship Management in Procurement and Supply

·         Best People Development Initiative

·         Most Empowered SOE in compliance to BBBEE Adjusted Generic Scorecard for Public Sector and Localisation

·         Best Third Sector/Not-for-profit Procurement Project

·         Most Innovative Use of Technology in Procurement and Supply

SOEPF INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES

·         CIPS Procurement and Supply Chain Management Professional of the Year

·         Most Procurement and Supply orientated CPO/CEO of the Year

·         CIPS Young procurement and Supply Chain Management Professional of the Year

For nominations and more information on the awards go to: http://www.scnet.co.za/CIPS_SOEPF_Awards

The closing date for the awards nominations has been extended to 17 October 2014, adjudication on the 24 October 2014, and the awards ceremony will take place on 30 October 2014, at Premier Hotel – Kempton Park.

PLATINUM BELT TO GET SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE – MINISTER DAVIES

PLATINUM BELT TO GET SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE – MINISTER DAVIES

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies announced that a Special Economic Zone be established in the platinum belt of Rustenburg in the North West as part of the government’s programme of mineral beneficiation. Minister Davies was speaking in Johannesburg yesterday when he delivered a keynote address at the Japan Seminar that took place at the Gordon Institute of Business Science. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in South Africa and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) hosted the seminar.

“The current administration is committed to developing mineral beneficiation. Part of these efforts will be the establishment of a Special Economic Zone in the Rustenburg Platinum belt. The purpose of this SEZ will be to develop industries that use platinum as an input. These include jewellery, catalytic converters and fuel cell technology,” said Minister Davies who was speaking on Reindustrialisation in South Africa and the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP).

Minister Davies reiterated that the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) has made significant gains through various iterations of IPAP since its inception in the 2007/2008 financial year. These laudable achievements were more evident in the clothing and textile, automotive, agro-processing, and film sectors.

“IPAP is neither a policy document nor a wish list. It’s a set of time-bound actions which have to undertaken by different parts of government. These have been successful because they are developed in consultation with the private sector,” said Davies

He added that through IPAP government has succeeded in developing finance institutions and introducing a suite of incentives to support manufacturing and the competitiveness of companies.

According to the Chairman of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industries in South Africa, Mr Yoshiki Takizawa, the purpose of the Japan Seminar was to deepen the mutual understanding for the further development of South African industries. The theme of the seminar was Local Industrialization in South Africa and the Contribution of Japanese Businesses – Lessons from East Asia.

Japanese foreign direct investments are steadily increasing In South Africa. Japanese investments in South Africa have generated approximately 150 000 jobs. Companies such as Toyota are increasingly becoming involved in supplier development programs which are significantly raising the capacity of local manufacturers.

the dti has signed MOUs with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and a few Japanese banks through its Trade and Investment Division. The objective of the agreements is to support the increase of trade between Japan and South Africa and to assist Japanese investors entering our market. These relationships has already delivered results, judging by the influx of Japanese delegations visiting South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA AND CUBA TO SIGN ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT

SOUTH AFRICA AND CUBA TO SIGN ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT

Dti will be signing of the amendments to the Agreement between the government of South Africa and the government of Cuba on the Economic Assistance.

The signing is a follow-up to President Jacob Zuma’s 2010 State Visit to Cuba, where he announced an economic assistance package of R350-million to Cuba.

This will take place at GCIS, Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Frances Baard Street (corner Festival Street), Hatfield, Pretoria on Friday 26 September 2014.

There will be a video link to Imbizo Media Centre, Parliament

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies and the Ambassador of Cuba to South Africa, Mr Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, will sign the agreement

DUBE TRADEPORT LAUNCH AS AN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ZONE: MEDIA ACCREDITATION

DUBE TRADEPORT LAUNCH AS AN INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ZONE: MEDIA ACCREDITATION

President Jacob Zuma will officially launch the Dube Tradeport as an Industrial Development Zone (IDZ).  At the launch event, the Dube Tradeport handed over an operator permit which provides them the status of an IDZ. The event will take place on Tuesday 7 October 2014 at Dube City near King Shaka International Durban.

WORKING ON FIRE (WoF) FEMALE CREW LEADER GRADUATION

WORKING ON FIRE (WoF) FEMALE CREW LEADER GRADUATION

The Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Barbara Thomson, will lead the Working on Fire (WoF) female crew leader graduation ceremony held on Saturday 27 September 2014 at the WoF Training Academy in Nelspruit.

At least 32 women veld and forest fire fighters, with 2 of them being parolees,  are beneficiaries of the Department of Environmental Affairs’ Working on Fire Programme, were nominated for crew leader training through a rigorous selection process.

These beneficiaries have undergone an intensive “All Female Crew Leader” training course which will help them deal with psychological and emotional challenges of being crew leaders. In addition, the beneficiaries trained to become motivated fire fighters who are able to operate safely and efficiently in dangerous and unpredictable work environments. 

As part of a process to reintegrate ex-offenders into society, the Department of Correctional Services has tasked the WoF Programme to play its part to rehabilitate offenders – recruiting them into the WoF Programme. Through WoF, female parolees are trained and graduate to fire fighters. Currently there are 17 parolees in the WoF Programme.

Members of the media invited to join the Deputy Minister during the graduation ceremony to be on Saturday 27 September 2014.

It will be at Working on Fire Training Academy, Highlands Farm, Uitkyk, Nelspruit

Skukuza Safari Lodge Development Briefing

Skukuza Safari Lodge Development Briefing

South African National Parks (SANParks) will be announcing the latest developments regarding the proposed Skukuza Safari Lodge. The focus will be on the public participation announcement by the Environmental Impact Assessment team, the design of the facility and what it will offer to visitors.

As a result, SANParks would like to invite you or a representative to a media briefing on the Skukuza Safari Lodge Development.

This will take place on Monday 29 September at South African National Parks Head Office, 643 Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, PTA

THREE RHINO POACHER SUSPECTS ARRESTED

THREE RHINO POACHER SUSPECTS ARRESTED

Three suspected notorious suspected rhino poachers arrested in Kruger National Park on Sunday 21 September 2014.

Three SANParks employees arrested in connection with rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park.

This according to SANParks Acting Chief Executive Officer, Abe Sibiya, who said the three employees based in the Lower Sabie area were found with a hunting rifle, ammunition, vehicle and poaching equipment during the arrest.

He said the arrest came shortly after the discovery of a freshly killed rhino in the Lower Sabie section of the park.

“The SANParks and SAPS officials who effected the arrests are congratulated for their outstanding work. These arrests send a strong message that officials alleged to be involved in poaching will be arrested and face the full might of the law,” said Sibiya. .

According to Sibiya the Park has been under tremendous pressure from poachers, as it is home to over eighty percent of the global population of both white and black rhino that still roam in the wild. “It is unfortunate that those trusted with the well-being of these animals are alleged to have become the destroyers of the same heritage that they have a mandate to protect.”

SUCCESS AT 2014 SA NATIONAL PARKS WEEK

SUCCESS AT 2014 SA NATIONAL PARKS WEEK

The annual South African National Park Week hosted by South African National Parks (SANParks) was once again a success. This year’s event launched at Tsitsikamma in the Garden Route National Park on 8 September 2013 saw an increase of 85.9% resulting in a total number of 53 251 day visitors to various national parks during the focus week.

SANParks Acting Head of Communications, Reynold Thakhuli said  the national parks attracted 28 640 visitors in 2013 and the figures show that we have once again beaten our own record.

 “SANParks started this campaign to encourage all South Africans, especially that from the communities around the parks, to share in what SANParks envisions being ‘the pride and joy of all South Africans and the world,” said Reynold Thakhuli.

He said since its inception in 2006; National Parks Week has seen an influx of 172 076 day visitors in all participating parks.

He said “The increase this year can be attributed to the SANParks programmes designed to connect with the broader South African society and living its vision of connecting to society.”   

“These numbers are encouraging and tell us that more people are taking advantage of this free week at our national Parks. We especially want our young people to take advantage of this opportunity because this heritage will be under their protection in the near future,” said Thakhuli.

All of the parks managed by SANParks excluding Namaqua and Boulders at Table Mountain National Park participated in the initiative to give the public an understanding of the role that SANParks plays as custodian of the country’s natural heritage.

Since 2006 each of the regions has seen an influx of day visitors. The Cape region (Agulhas, Bontebok, Table Mountain, Tankwa and West Coast National Parks) has had 42 973 day visitors with 18 418 visiting this year. The Frontier Region (Addo, Camdeboo, Karoo, and Mountain Zebra National Parks) has had 19 993 day visitors with 7 373 visiting this year.

The Arid Region (Augrabies, Kgalagadi, Mokala and Richtersveld National Parks) has had 6 382 day visitors and 1 596 in 2014. The Northern Region (Mapungubwe National Park & World Heritage Site, Marakele and Golden Gate Highlands National Parks) has welcomed 9 670 day visitors with 2 898 this year.

The Garden Route National Park (Knysna, Tsitsikamma and Wilderness) has had a total of 9 833 day visitors with 4 037 this year. The iconic Kruger National Park had 18 929 day visitors this year with a total of 83 225 since inception. 

“The survival of the South African national parks system and our natural and cultural heritage lies in the people of South Africa and we are focused on involving young people and communities, to cultivate knowledge of the importance of conservation and an appreciation for the country’s natural heritage,” concluded Thakhuli.

DEPUTY MINISTER BARBARA THOMSON URGES COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION TO FIGHT RHINO POACHING

DEPUTY MINISTER BARBARA THOMSON URGES COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION TO FIGHT RHINO POACHING

As communities and individuals around the world gathered to mark World Rhino Day, the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Barbara Thomson, has urged all people to take a firm stand against rhino poaching.

Ms Thomson led a World Rhino Day event, hosted by the Department of Environmental Affairs and SANParks in cooperation with the Bushbuckridge Municipality at the Thulamahashe Stadium in Mpumalanga today.

Hundreds of community members joined government officials in a fun run for Rhino through the streets of Bushbuckridge before participating in a march under the slogan Not on our Watch to the Thulamahashe police station.

The participants in the fun run and March were conscious of the need to raise awareness and seek economic alternative to poaching as the number of rhino poached for their horns since the start of the year climbed to 787.  A total of 323 alleged poachers have arrested since January 2014.

The Kruger National Park, situated a short distance from Bushbuckridge, continued to bear the brunt of rhino poaching in South Africa having lost 503 animals so far this year.   A total of 103 rhino been poached in Limpopo, 67 in KwaZulu-Natal, 47 in North West and 45 in Mpumalanga.

The marchers, comprising officials from the Department of Environmental Affairs, SANParks, the Bushbuckridge municipality and the local community, showed their concern about the high levels of rhino poaching in South Africa, calling for more action from the police to address the scourge.

The marchers also commended the security and justice system for the work done collectively and individually to combat rhino poaching.

The Memorandum stated:  “As representatives of the citizens of South Africa we would like to pledge our support to you in this battle against rhino poaching and wildlife crime in general. We pledge to become the eye and ears of the SAPS to ensure that all those responsible for wildlife crimes, particularly rhino poaching, are arrested.”

Deputy Minister Thomson said the hosting of World Rhino Day 2014 in Bushbuckridge is testimony to the municipality’s commitment to play its part in conserving one of the country’s most threatened natural resources, the rhino.

The World Wildlife Fund-South Africa launched world Rhino Day in 2010 to celebrate the 5 different species of Rhino.

The Day has since grown to become a global event to draw attention to the impact of poaching on the continued survival of the Rhino species.

The Deputy Minister highlighted that it was communities such as that of Bushbuckridge that were often exploited by the crime syndicates in their quest to secure rhino horn.

Amid some of South Africa’s most pressing social and economic needs, it is important to save the rhino from extinction for numerous reasons, she said.

 “Without the rhino there will be no Big Five – the reason millions of people from all over the world travel to South Africa and many of our neighbouring countries every year.   In other words:  If there is no Big Five, there is no tourism.

“Without tourism, there will be no direct jobs in the tourism industry for communities living adjacent to conservation areas, or indirect jobs in industries and sectors that support the tourism business. 

“Without jobs, there will be increased poverty, increased crime, and less upliftment of our communities.  The government’s aim is to create a better life for all.  Without the rhino, that will not be possible. In all, the South African economy will suffer,” said Ms Thomson.

As the country prepared to mark Heritage Day on 24 September, it is important for South Africans to take a firm stand against the threat of poaching to the nation’s heritage.

She said, “We have fought a long and bitter struggle for freedom. This struggle was not only for political freedom, but also freedom to enjoy our natural beauty and environment, which is now bringing threatened by short-sighted and ecologically destructive forces such as poachers.”

She appealed to young people who believe they have no future other than crime, or the poaching of  wildlife, to make use of opportunities to improve their skills and their lives so that they can contribute to the upliftment of their communities.

The Department of Environmental Affairs also welcomes the actions of communities around the world to focus the world’s attention on rhino poaching during World Rhino Day events.

Ms Thomson also launched the Department of Environmental Affairs’ new slogan against rhino poaching - Not on my watch– at the World Rhino Day event.

“Not on our Watch should spur all of us on to report rhino crimes,” she said. “By blowing the whistle on rhino poaching and wildlife crime you are not only contributing towards saving a species for future generations – our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren – to enjoy and benefit from, you are also contributing to a safer society.”

She added:  “I appeal to all you present here today, to become the eyes and ears of the police – to report rhino and wildlife crime, and to state clearly:  Not on our Watch!”

**  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.