Rhino Poaching Priority Crime on Par with Human Trafficking
Poaching is Escalating
Project Rhino KZN News
If anyone was perhaps unsure of the intensity of the rhino poaching war raging on in Zululand and the commitment to combat it, a rare meeting of two principal allies left little doubt as to where KZN stands in this national onslaught.

KZN’s South Africa Police Commissioner Ms Betty Ngobeni and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s Rhino Protection Manager Cedric Coetzee.
KZN’s South Africa Police Commissioner Ms Betty Ngobeni and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s Rhino Protection Manager Cedric Coetzee, hadn’t met since the breakthrough agreement between the two parties at the beginning of the year. This was when the SAPS elevated Rhino Poaching to what is called a ‘Priority Crime’ status; a national imperative put on the same level as human trafficking and drug smuggling, for example.
SAPS elevated Rhino Poaching to what is called a ‘Priority Crime’ status; a national imperative put on the same level as human trafficking and drug smuggling
In doing so it effectively gave Ezemvelo’s beleaguered field staff and the aerial ZAP Wing unit an invaluable ally commanding additional and much-needed manpower and intelligence. This meeting between Ms Ngobeni and Coetzee was a moment to share notes away from their respective battlefields.
Coetzee was invited to give an update. His commentary spoke of daily and multiple poacher incursions into state and private reserves, sometimes four a day; of five arrests over the past two weeks with a poacher killed and the recovery of two rifles. He spoke of ZAP Wing pilots flying daily, not on surveillance flights, as was the case in the past, but reacting to specific call-outs to poachers’ tracks and sounds of gunshots.
Daily and multiple poacher incursions into state and private reserves, sometimes four a day.”
“Madam, this war is escalating.”
But his deliberations shone a light on the SAPS and Ezemvelo’s Joint Operations Command (JOCOM) that epitomises KZN’s major anti-poaching force. Having conducted six operations together this year, Coetzee could speak of greatly enhanced intelligence and an overall annual summary of 32 arrests, 22 firearms recovered and four poachers killed.
It was at this point that Ms Ngobeni raised her hand. Perceptive and considered, her polite demeanour concealed a steely personality.
“Cedric let me reinforce my and the SAPS’s commitment to Ezemvelo and this rhino poaching war. Oh, we know who these poachers are and we will track them down. Don’t let anyone think for one moment otherwise. It might seem unprofessional but I personally find this mutilation of our rhinos quite awful. It just adds to my motivation. Now what do you need?”
I personally find this mutilation of our rhinos quite awful.
Coetzee spoke of undertaking more raids: “Yes, Madam you are quite right. We know all about these syndicates, every one of them; now’s the time to increase our pressure“.
Ms Ngobeni said he should table this and she would bring her influence to bear.“Clarify exactly these resources and what purpose you specifically need them for. You will get them.”
Before the meeting broke, Betty Ngobeni displayed an enlightening grasp of the broader terrain the SAPS was operating in. Asked of the community’s reaction to these raids, she began by reinforcing the South African government’s commitment: “Our mandate is clear. A Priority Crime, such as rhino poaching, means our government has ticked a box. The SAPS will fight this war with whatever resources are available to them. It is up to me to bring these resources to bear in KZN.”
How complicated is it when dealing with local communities and particularly with their illegal business interests, such gillnetting, the illegal muti trade and of course rhino horn?
“These are not the days of Apartheid. We represent the wishes of a democratically elected government and our people know that. They know that ‘Nature’ must be protected and the vast majority acknowledge our role as law enforcers.”
We represent the wishes of a democratically elected government and our people know that. They know that ‘Nature’ must be protected and the vast majority acknowledge our role as law enforcers.”
If the issue of legitimacy was not a factor, then she pointed towards the “conservation awareness efforts” of Ezemvelo’s CEO Dr Bandile Mkhize for also helping pave the way.
“Feedback from my staff informs me that Ezemvelo (‘Nature’) is well known amongst our people. Dr Mkhize and your organisation have done a great deal to popularise conservation through such things as that soccer and netball tournament (‘Ezemvelo Cup’) and the appointment of Rhino Ambassadors amongst communities. These are frequently spoken of.”
She reminded people that government bodies use Ezemvelo to filter service delivery into the most remote and often poorest areas, such as housing, education and health.
“You have no idea what an important platform this gives us in the SAP in order to undertake our anti-poaching tasks. We are not marching in as some foreign army. We are engaging with people on the ground who know full well what Ezemvelo stands for.”
Two days later Coetzee reported back that the National Prosecuting Authority had assigned another state advocate to deal with organised crime and rhino poaching cases.
“This shows me the supportive hand of Ms Ngobeni. It is another critical step towards ensuring that all state agencies work in synergy; from surveillance through to arrests, prosecution and the conviction of poachers.”
Courtesy of Project Rhino KZN