Deputy Speaker, hon members, it is with great disappointment that I note that parts of our protected areas continue to suffer big losses to poachers. There have also been disturbing newspaper reports of poachers having killed a sizeable number of rhinos in these protected areas. These areas include the Kruger National Park, the Thula Thula Game Reserve, the Zulu Nyala Game Lodge, including Ezemvelo KwaZulu- Natal Wildlife.
These animals are a source of great pride to South Africa. This country has assisted in nature conservation to protect wildlife and started distributing rhinos, with the assistance of the World Wildlife Fund, WWF, to other parts of Africa and within South African provinces. Therefore, our government should be trying hard to guard our borders and harbours to ensure that the culprits responsible for mowing down these animals purely for their horns, are caught and brought to book.
A concerted and integrated effort is needed from many departments and stakeholders if real inroads are to be made in protecting our wildlife and stopping poachers from selling their ill-gotten gains. If the legislation that we have in place is inadequate to deal with this scourge, then we must strengthen it by ensuring that the organisations tasked with protecting our wildlife and other natural resources have the resources that they need to perform their duties effectively, including funds and skilled staff. I thank you.