Date: 15/10/2003
Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Title: Mabudafhasi: Imbizo Focus Week & National Marine Week: Anti-poaching protest event


REMARKS BY THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, MS REJOICE MABUDAFHASI, AT A COMMUNITY ANTI-POACHING PROTEST EVENT, Willows Holiday Resort, Port Elizabeth, 15 October 2003

Programme Director,
Members of the Community
Ladies and Gentlemen

As we are standing here today, we give a strong message to those plundering our marine resources that their time is running out. A message those who have no respect for the protection of our natural resources. To those who have no regard for the law of this country. Those who poach our precious abalone resources, a resource under severe strain,

Those criminals!

Our message is clear: We are taking back what belongs to us!

They are criminals because not only do they destroy our resources, but they also threaten our communities by turning our areas such as this, into no go zones.

We know that by their sheer numbers, intimidating tactics and unruly behaviour they intimidate our local people and they do not hesitate to make verbal or physical threats to anyone who assist in the protection of our coastline. These criminals have also been linked to crimes where individuals have been physically attacked and we are saying to them NO MORE!

We also know these criminals are a threat to tourism in this beautiful area as busloads of tourists are turned away as a result of fear and intimidation. This simply cannot be allowed, as the loss of a tourist is a loss of several jobs!

So today, as we are celebrating National Marine Week and observe Imbizo Focus Week we are saying 'enough is enough". We are saying that we are winning this war- because when the lives of our people are threatened it has become a war indeed!

We are making significant progress already- and we know the noose is getting tighten on the necks of these criminals. In the past 8 months more than 200 arrests have been made with a successful conviction rate of 90%! Eleven tons of abalone were confiscated, 50 motor vehicles and 6 vessels were seized.

My department has last week increased the maximum fines for abalone poaching from R40 000-00 to R800 000-00 as another measure to clamp down on poachers!

As government we are determined to win this battle! The partnerships that are formed between various role-players such as my department, the SA Police Service, the army, navy, NGOs and communities such as you, are important in cracking the whip on these criminals! Today's reclaiming of this resort is the beginning of taking back what belongs to us. Let us protect our rich marine and coastal environment.

Two Oceans, Many Ecosystems, One Nation

A people's contract at work!

THANK YOU

Source: Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (http://www.environment.gov.za)