Letter: More than 80 rhinos lost in two years

Katlego Suzan Phala, DA MP and Limpopo spokesperson for Transport and Community Safety writes:

The DA in Limpopo is calling on Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, to increase the capacity of the stock theft units to effectively combat rhino poaching.

Between 2020 and 2022, Limpopo lost 81 rhinos to poaching.

During the same period, SANparks lost 580 rhinos. Most of the rhino population in South Africa is located in the Kruger National Park. A vast area of the park is located in Limpopo.

Rhino poaching and the illicit trade of rhino horn are not only conservation issues but are committed by dangerous crime syndicates that are involved in organized crime.

These syndicates will only be brought to justice if our police service is well-resourced and trained in advanced investigative techniques and reconnaissance to gather information.

On Friday 15 June the DA took part in a peaceful community protest at suspected rhino poaching kingpin and ex-cop Joseph “Big Joe” Nyalunga’s court appearance in Hoedspruit where he applied for bail after his arrest near Kampersrus for rhino poaching.

His arrest was a significant breakthrough in the fight against rhino poaching in the area.

Nyalunga was arrested on May 27 by the Hoedspruit police following a joint intelligence operation between the stock theft unit, the local Farm Watch, and policing forum.

He was granted bail on several other cases including rhino poaching, racketeering, and murder.

This time, Nyalunga was refused bail and he was transferred to Thohoyandou Prison where he will remain until Friday 6 July 2023 for a formal bail hearing in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court.

Rhinos form part of our unique cultural heritage and are a driving force in our local tourism industry.

The DA will attend the bail hearing on 6 July and will monitor the case closely.