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 Mpumalanga Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC, Mr Norman Mokoena says the ongoing onslaught on the endangered rhino species continues to be a serious cause for concern. This follows the release of the latest statistics on rhino poaching and subsequent arrests by the national Department of Environmental Affairs which indicates that a total of 381 rhinos have been killed countrywide for their horns since the beginning of this year.

“I fail to understand why greed should rule the lives of those who kill our rhinos for their horns. They have realized, through the arrests and convictions that the hand of the law is too long, but they continue to go back and maim our rhinos. I’ve got a message for them - Our law enforcement agencies will continue to put them behind bars. We will not let greed rule,” said MEC Mokoena.

So far, 19 rhinos have been killed in Mpumalanga, with the Kruger National Park being the hardest hit at 236 (62%). A total of 56 people have been arrested for rhino poaching in Mpumalanga since the beginning of 2012, out of a total of 199 countrywide.

“Just last month, two people were sentenced to 29 years in jail for rhino poaching by the Nelspruit Magistrates court. I wonder why these cruel people are not learning from this situation. Maybe the sentences being given are to enough. I hope that all the others who have been arrested will receive the harshest sentence ever, added MEC Mokoena.

A total of 333 and 448 rhinos were killed nationwide in 2010 and 2011 respectively, and 165 and 232 people arrested across the country for the onslaught in 2010 and 2011 respectively. In Mpumalanga, 17 and 31 rhinos were killed in 2010 and 2011 respectively, with 16 and 73 arrests in the respective years.

“We urge our people to report all incidents of rhino poaching or to provide any tip–offs that could lead to the arrest of, and prevention of illegal poaching by calling the national toll-free number at 0800 205 005, concluded the MEC.