ZWF ENVIRO-FOCUS 2020 ---- KZN Dept.of Evironment & Ezemvelo Wildlife Management Crisis - EXPOSE ONE

KZN Wildlife Staff Implicated in Rhino Poaching !!
 
This white rhino was poached close to the Masinda "Field Ranger" quarters-camp in the southern Corridor section of the iMfolozi Game Reserve - at the time there were suspicions & strong rumours of some staff knowledge or involvement, which were vehemently denied and obviously, probably well hidden!
 
ZWF Comment - It's a sad day !! Shock and Outrage as hushed up staff poaching incidents come into the open !!
(Natal Mercury - Durban 07/02/11)
 
All Zululand conservationists were shocked and angry to get confirmation of the long suspected criminal poaching activities by some Field Ranger elements, the Game Guards of yesteryear, within Ezemvelo, they are the real "bad apples" (How many & at what level are unknown, however more exist !!) BUT whose actions have deeply upset the many dedicated staff who battle under dire stress to admirably perform their duties. It is obvious that some in senior management bear much of the blame due to their lax performance which is spilling over into many aspects of their responsibilities. The ZWF has been inundated by complaints of frustration from Ezemvelo staff, whilst it is hoped that urgent rapidly improved management standards are implemented, hopefully by better qualified & experienced staff.
 
We all owe a debt of gratitude to the DA's conservation spokesman in the KZN Parliament, Radley Keyes, who forced a response from the usually uncooperative Environmental Affairs MEC Lydia Johnson, regarded by many as being totally unsuited or qualified for the Portfolio.
 
Radley Keyes is reported below as saying , that it was "extremely distressing" that the body's own officials had been implicated. "It's a sad day when the body meant to protect these species has staff intent on destroying the animals. They should be suspended without pay until they can be proven innocent."
 
Indeed a sad confirmation of the appalling state of sections of Zululand's wildlife managers & staff !!
 
Tim Condon - ZWF Secretariat Co-ordinator