Comment on rhino poaching restricted

September 12 2011 at 09:00am

Mandla Khoza and Masoka Dube

The office of national police commissioner General Bheki Cele has banned all provincial and regional police communication officers from commenting on issues concerning rhino poaching.

The ban followed the death of two suspected rhino poachers who were killed during a shootout with SANDF soldiers in the Kruger National Park on Thursday.

On Friday, Limpopo police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Leonard Hlathi refused to comment on the shootout and referred all questions to national police spokeswoman Brigadier Sally de Beer.

“I suggest you telephone the national office for comment because we are not allowed to comment on stories concerning rhino poaching,” Hlathi said on Friday.

Hlathi’s senior, Brigadier Lindelani Mashego, confirmed that local or provincial police were no longer allowed to comment on rhino-poaching incidents.

“There’s an agreement between the affected parties and other government departments that the issue of rhino poaching has to be communicated through the national office of the police. The national office has come up with a joint operation working with the intelligence and they are the ones who are handling questions from the media about rhino-poaching issues,” he said.

However, when contacted, De Beer also refused to comment, on the grounds that the police did not release a statement on the matter.

“The Kruger National Park should comment,” she said.

SANDF joint tactical head office provincial spokesman Captain Albert Mathonsi also refused to comment.

“We don’t speak to the media. We are only here to assist the police deal with rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park,” he said.

SA National Parks spokesman Reynold Thakhuli confirmed that two suspected poachers were killed on Thursday after a shootout with soldiers.

“The shootout ensued after three armed men confronted the soldiers and started firing without uttering a word. One of the soldiers was shot in the leg and the soldiers shot back, killing the two men and injuring the other one,” said Thakhuli.

An AK-47 and a hunting rifle were seized at the scene.

Thakhuli said at least 20 suspected rhino poachers had been killed this year alone, while 69 were arrested.

This year, more than 159 rhinos have been killed in the Kruger alone. Altogether, about 150 suspected rhino poachers have been arrested nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve has suggested that rhino horns be poisoned to deter poachers.

Reserve spokeswoman Lorinda Hern said poisoning rhino horns may reduce the demand in Asian countries, where rhino horn is used for medicinal purposes. – African Eye News Service