Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) has – in an unprecedented move – lifted the veil on the ongoing onslaught its facilities and wildlife are facing, admitting arson is suspected in the 2020 Injisuthi Resort fire.
Topping the list in a candid report presented yesterday to KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) Conservation and Environmental Affairs Committee is the widespread arson and damage to its fences. Whereas fencing issues are nothing new, Ezemvelo has rarely admitted to what can only be described as a low key war that it is confronting.
Poachers hoping to gain access to the 110 Ezemvelo wildlife areas, along with disgruntled communities, are the main suspects in the destruction of fence poles, cutting of electrified barriers and threats to even burn down facilities across the province.
Tampering with the electrified fencing, coupled with a poor maintenance record is directly linked to the recent escape and subsequent shooting of three elephants. Another elephant was culled in 2020 as well as at least 10 lions that had escaped the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (HIP).
While the revelations are welcomed, they come after years of pressure, questions and motions by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the KZN Legislature, calling for action. Simply put, we believe that earlier disclosure from Ezemvelo could have led to preventative action.
Other incidents reported during yesterday’s portfolio committee and which continue to threaten the stability of the entity include;
– Clear photographic evidence of only fence poles and supports being damaged in fires
– The anti-poaching helicopter being used frequently, at great cost, to chase animals back into the park instead of being used on anti-poaching operations. This leading to 10 Black Rhinos and 117 White Rhinos having been poached in the 2019/2020 financial year alone (view here)
– Threats against Ezemvelo staff across the province from disgruntled communities demanding jobs
– Suspicion on whether negligence was the cause of a gas explosion that this week claimed the life of a HIP staff member and;
– Lagging financials and under-collection in revenue to the tune of R45 million, further preventing the ability of the entity to function optimally.
Given Ezemvelo’s long track record in contracts going awry, the DA will soon conduct its own covert oversight on the 13 new fencing contracts at EKZNW resorts.
Coupled with this, we will be closely monitoring the proposed community involvement in the projects and whether the ANC-led government really puts together an economic development package that will benefit the people. Only meaningful development of communities can stop the wanton destruction of the facilities Ezemvelo manages on behalf of our citizens.