SHAPING A NEW APPROACH TO POLICING

WILDLIFE CRIMES IN
KWAZULU-NATAL

“Let the other side also have a hearing.” (Seneca)

• Increasing awareness of the seriousness of wildlife crime
• Sharing knowledge and expertise
• Encouraging liaison between role players at all levels, and developing alliances and collaborating with others who support a common vision of combating wildlife crimes
• Educating and developing skills of all the role players

The uMkuhze Declaration gave a voice to the concerns many organizations and individuals in KZN have had over the years, concerning the serious issues and ramifications of wildlife crimes in the province.

The KZN Wildlife Crime Working Group was established in the wake of this workshop, to discuss and assist in all matters relating to crime involving wildlife, focusing on endangered species issues. The working group currently consists of members of the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, representatives of various SAPS units such as Organized Crime, Crime Prevention and Crime Intelligence, members of the KZN Prosecuting Authority and the Asset Forfeiture Unit. The members convene quarterly to share problems and solutions relating to wildlife crime throughout the province, act on information received and set guidelines for addressing wildlife crimes. This Committee has established a place for itself within the Provincial Priority Committee on Rural Safety, Tourism and Wildlife.

The decentralization of the National Endangered Species Protection Unit (ESPU) resulted in wildlife crimes initially being policed in KwaZulu-Natal by Organized Crime Investigation Units. Some of these members received training from the ESPU. Two further training courses have now been presented by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for Organized Crime, whose members are now coming to grips with their new challenges and reports listing successes are flowing in. Wildlife crimes are no longer marginalized and through the efforts of the working group, a new awareness of wildlife crimes has been raised. Efforts have been made to train law enforcers in the seven policing Areas throughout the province in investigative methods relevant to these crimes. It is hoped that this will ensure the continued protection of the natural resources in the province. This sharing of knowledge by experienced game rangers has established a far more cohesive, cooperative and mutually beneficial working relationship between the relevant role players.

Members of the SAPS are now being made aware of the importance for policing these crimes. The conservation of wildlife and endangered species in provincial game and coastal reserves and on private game farms, have a costly monetary and negative impact on tourism on KwaZulu-Natal. The economy will suffer negative consequences, should criminal activities relating to wildlife crime fail to receive the attention they deserve.

The range of wildlife crimes identified in KZN is varied and occurs over large areas. Criminal activities relate to many big animals (like rhinos and lions), to the theft of birds worth millions of rands, the harvesting of tons of plants for medicinal use and exporting endangered, protected species such as tortoises. Illegal hunting (poaching) with firearms in the conservation areas, smuggling and possession of elephant ivory, rhino horn, cycads and the illegal harvesting of marine products such as abalone, crayfish and prawns are some of the better-known types of wildlife crime. Some wildlife offences such as gill-netting and over-exploitation of marine life by commercial trawlers and illegal hunting activities by professional hunters make the variety of challenges facing the law enforces in KZN particularly exciting.

In order to address this wide array of threats, policies, well-considered structures and procedures have been established and formalized by the role players concerned. The continued success of the efforts of this Working Group is dependent on the close cooperation of all role players, effective communication and the sharing of information to maximize the use of available resources. It is therefore, important to constantly review not only the threats, but also the current resources used to identify and counter wildlife - and marine - related threats in KZN.

Many wildlife crimes still go undetected and unnoticed, particularly where wildlife crimes are not accurately reflected, sometimes for the following reasons:

• Limited knowledge of members may often lead to dockets being registered on the Crime Administration System (CAS) under incorrect crime codes.
   
• Not all detected incidents result in dockets being registered. When evidence is found of an animal having been shot or a cycad having been removed, a docket may not be registered, as it would be if money or a car is stolen. A docket is sometimes only registered if an arrest is made or an offender is identified.
   
• Often when a wildlife crime is detected, a member may release the offender because he/she is not sure whether or not a crime has been committed, does not consider the activity as being illegal, or does not know whom to call for assistance.

These are some of the problems currently being addressed by management in their new approach to combating these crimes in KZN and, judging from the number of successes achieved recently, this cohesive approach is beginning to show positive results.

The working group continuously investigates and considers alternative approaches and new methods to ensure the continued protection of the natural resources of this province. These build on law enforcement efforts that are currently successful, for example, community involvement to create an attitude of awareness of and responsibility for the protection of natural resources.

The present KZN wildlife management strategy for protected areas involves the formation of conservation partnerships. The future of protected areas and all natural resources is dependent on various eco-tourism ventures and the management of protected areas, wildlife and plant species in partnership with neighbouring communities. The establishment of the KZN Wildlife Crime Working Group is one such an example of a working partnership benefiting nature conservation.

Intelligence received and gathered on wildlife crimes is improving, but is not yet optimal. This has resulted in problem areas not being conclusively defined, particularly because this crime is subject to constant displacement. Wildlife crimes are listed as a provincial priority and for this reason intelligence in support of the identification of trends, modi operandi and new priorities will be required from Crime Intelligence and all other supporting structures more rigorously in the future. We need “eyes and ears” out there and you can help us.

In order to assist in obtaining a perspective on wildlife crime in KZN, it is important for wildlife crimes to be recorded correctly under the relevant codes on the SAP6. There are currently three classifications for wildlife crime that may be used in this respect:

Code 68510 - Endangered species - plants and animals
Code 69050 - Other offences against plants, animals, the environment
Code 569010 - Other offences against plants, animals, the environment

It is hoped that other provinces will follow the example set by KZN, and that they will take up the challenge and become involved in a global partnership against wildlife crime, a partnership which is able to reach across all borders and across all obstacles, for the preservation of our unique biodiversity and heritage, for future generations.

Any enquiries can be directed to Rod Potter at 082 7728343 and any information on wildlife crimes in KZN can be forwarded to Organized Crime at telephone number 031 – 3254731 or the author at 082 560 5888.