ID'S JOE MCGLUWA SAYS THE ON-GOING PROBLEM OF BEIT BRIDGE BABOONS IS HIGHLIGHTING THE GOVERNMENT'S ‘CONCURRENT INCOMPETENCE' - "Urgent action is needed now to protect people's safety"

The ID's Joe McGluwa has repeatedly called for action to be taken by government to deal with the ongoing problem caused by the approx. 200 baboons at the Beit Bridge border post in Limpopo. These baboons are responsible for stealing and terrorizing pedestrians, motorists, truckers and customs officials and effective action has still not been taken to arrest this problem.

These baboons have now become experts at opening people's bags and stealing food from visitors. It was even reported to me that they recently broke in and stole from the tents of the nature conservation staff that had been deployed there to deal with this problem. This is a clear sign of the absolute incompetence that has been shown by the government in dealing with this matter.

In a written reply to Mcgluwa's question to the National Minister on this issue (see reply below) indicated that this matter has already been dealt with by the Provincial Department as nature conservation falls under their concurrent competence.

Instead, to the ID, this issue seems to highlight the concurrent "incompetence" of both the National and Provincial departments in dealing with what should be a routine exercise. Their failure to competently adress this issue has put the safety of both South Africans and visitors at risk and has led to ongoing economic losses.

The ID urges both these department to now deal with this issue responsibly and ensure that the baboons are taken back to their natural habitat.

Reply to Question.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
DEPARTEMENT VAN OMGEWINGSAKE

Ref: 02/1/5/2

MINISTER

QUESTION NO. 954 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION NO. 954
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 9 NW1095E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 30 March 2010

Mr J J Mc Gluwa (ID) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) Whether her department has been informed of the baboons at Beit Bridge; if so, (a) what steps will her department take to (i) remove and (ii) rehabilitate them before the 2010 Soccer World Cup tournament, (b) when and (c) what are the further relevant details; if not,

(2) whether her department will look into the matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

954. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) No. No steps will be taken by this department as the matter is being handled by the Limpopo Province, through the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism.
(2) No. Due to the concurrent competence of nature conservation, the problem was dealt with by the provincial conservation authority.
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Issued by the Independent Democrats, May 6 2010

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