The DA in KwaZulu-Natal condemns in the strongest possible terms – and again calls for national intervention – as the Pongola Lake erupts into an elephant poaching slaughterhouse.
Armed groups of poachers have now completely laid siege to the eastern shores of the lake, with several elephant carcasses recently found while dozens of gunshots have also been reported in the region. (view here, here, here and here)
Guards near the eSwatini border have allegedly also come under attack and infrastructure damaged and torched by the armed gang.
Furthermore, the DA has now also received video and photographic evidence of a tour boat coming under fire by armed gangs who continue to lay illegal gill nets in the lake.
The rampant lawlessness and decimation of flora and fauna within this community has long been highlighted, with the conflict brewing for years. Yet, to date, government has failed to secure this tourist and wildlife haven.
In the interim, the lake has been systematically stripped of its fish stock with only the Richard’s Bay Saps Water Wing and concerned locals to try to stop the scourge.
The DA will escalate the ongoing war against poaching to the highest levels of government and demand swift the arrests of those who believe they can destroy our natural heritage and tourism sector. The situation can no longer continue.