Post on 15-Aug-2015
transcript
“Rhino Poaching: A new Form of Organised Crime” 20 March 2013
Prof: Moses Montesh Department of Police Practice
Please take note………………
This research project was funded by the College of Law Research and Innovation Committee (CRIC). Field work was conducted in Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane Provinces in Mozambique as well as the Kruger National Park
PRESENTATION LAYOUT
◈ INTRODUCTION ◈ DEFINITION ◈ METHODOLOGY ◈ BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY ◈ THE EXTENT OF RHINO POACHING IN RSA ◈ THE LINK BETWEEN RHINO POACHING AND ORGANISED CRIME ◈ RHINO HORN CONSUMERS ◈ SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS ◈ ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES ◈ RECOMMENDATIONS ◈ CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
The recent increase in rhino poaching in South Africa is largely due to heightened demand for rhino horn, which has long been prized as an ingredient in traditional Asian medicine although this has been denied recently by both China and Vietnam. Since 2000, the number of rhino poaching incidents has been increasing. Although a number of efforts and strategies have been implemented by the South African government, the problem is far from over.
Methodology
A qualitative approach was followed in this project. Although literature study formed the basis of this study, unstructured as well as focus groups interviews were conducted with the representatives of the following institutions: Members of the Mozambican Police; Mozambican Game Rangers; Representatives from Mozambique Ministry of Home Affairs; Community members from (from Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane provinces) in Mozambique; Representatives from South African Department of Environmental Affairs; Representatives from Commercial Crimes Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority; Game Rangers stationed at Kruger National Park; Task team members from the South African Police Service stationed at Kruger National Park; Task Team members from the South African National Defence Force stationed at Kruger National Park
WARNING!!!!
This presentation contain images which might not be suitable to sensitive viewers.
Please accept my apology!!!!!
Image placehoder
Believe in yourself … and surprise others
The recent increase in rhino
poaching in South Africa is
largely due to heightened
demand for rhino horn,
which has long been prized
as an ingredient in
traditional Asian medicine
although this has been
denied recently by both
China and Vietnam.
Background of the study (Cont….)
1948:The United Nations recognised the struggle of the South African people, calling for the establishment of a democratic state with full civil and political rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It also condemned the "racist regime" in South Africa for its repression against opponents of apartheid, killing demonstrators, holding of political prisoners and defiance of Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.
UN Resolutions adopted: (sanctions/arms embargo
Resolution 418: 1977
Resolution 421: 1977
Resolution 473: 1980
Resolution 591, adopted unanimously on 28 November 1986.
The embargo was lifted by Resolution 919 following democratic elections in 1994.
Background of the study (Cont…)
◊ Internal conflict ◊ The Namibian war ◊ The Angolan war ◊ The Mozambican war ◊ The Zimbabwean war
As a result of arms embargo as well as South Africa’s involvement in external affairs - South Africa did not have enough resources to fight all these wars. One way or the other, South Africa was forced to turn to other sources/methods in order to finance the war.
Background (Cont…)
Background (Cont…)
Background (Cont…)
By the time Dr Jonas Savimbi died in 2002, it was estimated that he had accumulated between $500 - $800 Millions from blood diamonds. This money was largely paid by De Beers mining corporation
Background (Cont…)
Background (Cont…)
By late 1980’, information started to trickle out that the SADF was involved in the slaughtering of about 100 000 elephants to sponsor war in Mozambique, Angola and Namibia. The tusks and Rhinos horns were transported from South Africa to Namibia, Angola, Burundi, and Zaire (DRC) enroute to Europe
Background (Cont…)
1976 -1980: Frama Inter –Trading Company was established by the SADF as a front company operated by Maia based in Rundu (Namibia) and Lopes “Lobbs” who was based in Johannesburg. This was trucking business transporting “timber” but in fact they were transporting elephant tusks and rhino horns”
1988: Colonel Jan Breytenbach blew a whistle which led to the establishment of the “Roos Inquiry” by the SADF. Surprisingly, the Inquiry made the findings: ““there was no evidence to prove that the defence force was responsible for or involved in the killing of elephants. However, small quantities of ivory captured by UNITA from poachers and others in Angola were transported by the Defence Force on behalf of UNITA over an 18-month period from mid-1978 to the end of 1979”.
Background (Cont…)
1994: Justice M E Kumleben was appointed in terms of Regulation Gazette No. 5408, 7 October 1994 to inquire into, consider and report on- (a) the alleged smuggling of ivory and rhino horn, particularly of Angolan and Mozambican origin, to and through South Africa over the past ten years; (b) the involvement of South African citizens in such smuggling activities; (c) the illegal trade in ivory and rhino horn of South African origin; to make recommendations regarding steps to be taken to prevent such irregularities.
The Commission found substantial proof of SADF involvement in the ivory trade through a front company, Frama Inter-Trading, which was later supposedly privatised. The commission heard how the SADF had provided covert vehicles to transport ivory and rhino horns from the Angolan border to a Veterinary Services quarantine station at Rundu in Namibia.
THE EXTENT OF POACHING IN SA
Rhinos killed so far For 3 decades as successive waves of rhino carnage struck other rhino range States across Africa, for the most part, South Africa, together with Namibia and Zimbabwe, remained unaffected. Following independence in 1980, the situation changed in Zimbabwe and serious rhino poaching, especially in the Zambezi Valley, progressively threatened the country’s rhinos. Around 2000, the Viet Namese invasion began…..
Statistics ◊ 2010: 333 ◊ 2011: 448 ◊ 2012: 668 ◊ 2013: 146
Arrests ◈ 2013: 26 ◈ 2012:73 ◈ 2011: 82 ◈ 2010: 67
Methods of rhino poaching (Modus Operandi
Methods of rhino poaching (Cont…)
Other forms of poaching methods:
Snares Box traps Pit falls/traps Trap nets Poison Darting
THE LINK BETWEEN RHINO POACHING AND ORGANISED CRIME
• The criminal syndicates (local & international)
• The involvement of National & Provincial Conservation officials
• The involvement of wildlife industry officials
• National middleman dealers • Illegal export of rhino horn • The value of rhino horn
Level5
International Consumer/Buyer
Level 4
International
Couriers/ Buyers/Exporter
Level 3
National
Couriers/Buyers/Exporters
Level 2
Local
Poaching groups/Couriers and Buyers
LEVEL 1
Protected Area/Private Land
Poaching Individuals and Groups
The role of Mozambicans in rhino poaching
The role of Mozambicans in rhino poaching (Cont…)
1975: Civil war begin 1992: Peace deal;
Demobilization of ex-combatants
1994: First Multi Party Elections; Poverty is still a problem
Unaccounted of weapons Militias Bush vs bush Poaching = hunting
RHINO HORN CONSUMERS (VIET NAM)
◊ Terminally ill patients (Cancer patients)
◊ Habitual users (Middle age men – detoxifying beverage –very obsessive)
◊ Protective young (mothers (Affluent young mothers – cure fever in children)
◊ Elite gift givers (high value, status conferring gift, used for corruption)
Myth: Rhino horn is classified as a “heat-clearing”; powerful aphrodisiac drug with detoxifying properties. It is also regarded as a drug that can cure cancer, alcohol hangover. It is part and parcel of Viet culture.
SOUTH AFRICA’S RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS
Established a National Strategy for the Safety and Security of Rhinoceros Populations and Horn Stocks in South Africa designed to combat the increasing poaching threat.
Established an Integrated Information System
Signed an MoU with Viet Nam government
National Wildlife Crime Reaction Unit (DEA)
SAPS (DPCI) National Joints Committee National and provincial nature
conservation officials Deploy members of the South African
National Defence Force at the KNP Beef up security at ports of entry and
exit (scanners at airports) Established a SADC Rhino Management
Group National Prosecuting Authority Rhino and Elephant Security
Group/INTERPOL Environmental Crime Working Group
South Africa’s response….
Legislative framework National Parks Act 56 of 1976.
Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962.
The Game Theft Act 101 of 1991.
NEMA: Protected Areas Act 57 of
2003. (National Environmental
Management Act)
NEMA: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004.
POCA Act 121 of 1998
Challenges No piece of legislation
specifically deal with poaching.
Poaching or rhino poaching is handled in a very scattered fashion.
Current legislation is difficult to enforce .
RECOMMENDATIONS
Legalize commercial trade
Reduce black market Use stockpiles Dehorned horns Demands for rhino horns
will be met Will not eliminate rhino
poaching completely (prostitution, diamond and
gold dealings)
Do not commercialize Proponents believe that
sustainable utilization of wildlife is inherently wrong
Do not interfere with wildlife for financial benefits
Security measures
Perimeter security Increase the number of roving
vehicle patrols Increase undercover vehicle
patrols Beef up access control
Intelligence gathering Improve reward system and
informer handling procedures Beef up counterintelligence
Planning of anti-poaching operations
Planning of anti-poaching operations should be carried out by experienced team leaders/ commanders. Intelligence gained can increase chances of successful operations against poachers. Topographical maps are very useful in planning and executing successful anti- poaching operations as terrain, roads, game paths, waterholes, rivers, bridges, cell-phone towers, and food caches can be plotted.
Other recommendations
Crime scene analysis training to law enforcement agents – this will assist in connecting the dots
Where ever possible photographic
evidence should be obtained. Any evidence found on the scene such as cartridge cases, pangas, axes, clothing, cartridges, magazines, clear imprints of tracks, and of course pictures of poached rhino, bullet entry and exit wounds must be be photographed
Dehorning Only in very high risk situations
where rhino populations are very exposed to large local populations of people and adequate security is not affordable should private rhino owners dehorn their rhino, but this is no deterrent and some form of security should be negotiated, with local police and farmer block-watch groups.
Dehorning (Cont…)
• The SADF has been using UAV’s since 1983 (supporting UNITA)
• (1)SEEKER II + (2) SEEKER 400
The role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Dones)
(3) High speed target drone
(4) Hungwe
The role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Cont…)
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone is an aircraft without a human pilot on board. Its flight is either controlled autonomously by computers in the vehicle, or under the remote control of a pilot on the ground or in another vehicle. They are predominantly deployed for military applications, but also used in a small but growing number of civil applications, such as firefighting and nonmilitary security work, such as surveillance of pipelines.
• UAVs typically fall into one of six functional categories (although multi-role airframe platforms are becoming more prevalent): Target and decoy
Reconnaissance
Research & development
Combat – providing attack capability
Logistics
UAVs specifically designed for civil and commercial applications fitted with a Lightweight Multirole Missile.
The role of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Cont…)
Criticism of against the use of UAVs
• There has been much international criticism of the use of armed UAVs, particularly by America in Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere.
• Based on figures collated by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, it estimated between 2,562 and 3,325 people were killed in drone strikes in Pakistan between June 2004 and mid-September 2012, of whom 474 to 881 were civilians.
Strengths and weaknesses of UAVs
Strengths Good for dull, dirty dangerous tasks
Operations can be conducted without risk to aircrew
Can be cheaper (caution – through life costs need to be considered)
Availability - unmanned aircraft can support tactical activity where manned assets would not be available
Small/medium scale can provide immediate, tactical situational awareness (in uncontested airspace)
Very good at intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and attack missions (in uncontested airspace)
Weaknesses Lack of small, tailored weapons
Lack of long air carriage life weapons
Vulnerable to cyber and communications link attack
Legal, ethical, moral thinking needs further development
Current systems are not built to airworthy standards – costs will rise as these are enforced
Poor penetration
Challenges …..
• KNP has 650 Rangers • KNP is the same size
as Sweden • Sweden has
…….Police officials
Challenges (Cont…)
The policing of ports of entry (use of scanners)
The policing of role-players such Safari Operators; Taxidermy; professional hunters
Private Game vs National Parks
Changing mindset of people in Viet Nam
Gang assassination (there are +- 15 Mozambican gangs operating at Kruger National Park)
The availability of fake rhino horns (this is very common in Mussina/Beit Bridge)
CONCLUSION
Fellow South Africans, we need to join hands and fight Rhino poaching. These beautiful creatures need our protection. ACT NOW!!!!!!