Stronger action needed to protect our rhinos

Rhino poaching continues to escalate unabated and the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, does not appear to be taking any concrete action to stem the tide. Until 2007 rhino deaths averaged 12 per annum and jumped to 83 in 2008, 668 in 2012 and 635 have already been killed in 2013.

This weekend, Minister Molewa said: "I can assure you that we will not allow rhinos to become extinct on our watch". She needs to back this talk up with action.  Other than an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mozambique, which has not been signed, Minister Molewa is not doing enough to protect our rhinos.

The DA will request that the Minister and the CEO of South African National Parks (SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, be summoned to Parliament to present a detailed action plan for the protection of our rhinos from poachers. I will also be submitting a range of questions to ascertain what other steps the Department and SANParks will be taking to protect our rhinos.

Stronger leadership is required from South Africa's government in the fight against rhino poaching. We need to save the rhino for future generations. The DA will continue to fight for its protection.

Statement issued by Marti Wenger MP, DA Shadow Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, September 25 2013

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