Ongwediva
During a recent three-day fact-finding visit to Etosha National Park the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, and his team made a shocking discovery of a range of irregularities, ranging from drug smuggling, gambling and the illicit sale of alcohol, among other prohibited vices practiced within the park.
Other discoveries include the improper search of vehicles entering and leaving the park, squatting of non-family members at the park, keeping domestic animals such as chickens and pigs, as well as putting up unauthorised structures, such as corrugated iron zinc shacks.
The minister and his team made their way to Etosha National Park’s hot spots to intensify measures to prevent poaching and ensure the park is well taken care of, after three more endangered rhinos were poached in December, while a baby rhino succumbed to death after its mother was poached – bringing the total number of rhinos killed last year to 80.
Shifeta said one rhino was professionally poached within Etosha and another two at Palmweg. He said they held meetings with law enforcement officers, as well as other personnel at the park to intensify measures to prevent further poaching and irregularities within the park. The minister said he was shocked that such wrongdoings had gone unreported until their visit.
According to the minister, MET personnel are squatting with non-family members who work on nearby farms and lodges. This access enables people to provide inside information to would-be poachers and to poachers alike on the possible location of rare and endangered game.
He said a directive has been issued to ensure that personnel host only close family, spouses and children, who would also be required to apply for their stay.
“Rules are not being obeyed in Etosha. There are people trading in Etosha, which is prohibited. They are selling alcohol and there are even gambling machines. A tour guide was also arrested for smuggling drugs, which are apparently also given to children,” Pohamba noted.
The MET plans to erect a fence to minimise the escape options of poachers being pursued by the police.
Shifeta said poachers have in the past resisted arrest by fleeing the scene and even at shooting law enforcement officers, a situation the minister said will not be tolerated.
“We do not want to shoot anyone, but if suspects continue shooting the law enforcers we will also be forced to respond,” he said.
Shifeta has also issued a directive to sensitise neighbouring villages to the dangers of poaching, and the need to report strangers and unusual activities. He believes several poaching syndicates operate in and from communal villages bordering Etosha.