While the world still weeps over Cecil the Lion, another troubling poaching problem plagues South Africa’s rhino population. Though poaching cases appear in court at South Africa’s Kruger National Park, the anti-poaching methods used in the African country may not be severe enough to curb the problem.
Rhino Poaching Cases On The Rise, Though High Conviction Rates Do Occur
Rhinos within South Africa’s national parks are being targeted for their horns and while the number of convictions related to rhino poaching cases are quite high, the number of cases keeps increasing.
At the Skukuza Magistrates’ Court in South Africa’s famous Kruger National Park, prosecutor Ansie Venter has seen many more people walking through the court facing a number of poaching-related charges.
Though Venter says the conviction rate is already high, she does admit that the number of cases are increasing daily. The female prosecutor believes if the sentences were more severe, the country would see a drop in poaching. In other words, the harsher the punishment, the better the deterrent.
South Africa’s Track Record of Rhino Poaching Is Devastating
Last year, South Africa saw the demise of over 1,215 rhinos that were poached for their beautiful, valuable horns. This year, the numbers seem to be on par to create another devastating record in rhino poaching.
Environmental Affairs minister, Edna Molewa, reported that just from January to April this year, 393 rhinos were killed for their horns. This increase is greater than 18 percent from last year at the same time according to statistics.
If these numbers grow at this pace for the remainder of the year, it will have a terrible impact on the rhino population left in South Africa.
Venter says the court is getting busier each day as the number of poaching cases increases, which shows that the government is pursuing poachers. However, mere arrests don’t necessarily mean the deaths will stop.
Are Weak Laws to Blame for Rhino Poaching?
When poachers are arrested in South Africa, prosecutors are forced to double down on the offenders with multiple charges as the country lacks specific legislation in regards to rhino poaching.
So instead of being charged for a major crime, prosecutors are forced to press for maximum sentences on multiple minor offenses committed. Rather than charging a poacher for poaching in and of itself, they are charged with trespassing, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and intent to commit a crime.
These charges do have maximum sentences, but even so, the loose regulations addressing rhino poaching hardly deter the real criminals. Not the men and women who turn to poaching to feed their families, what you can refer to as the footmen being controlled by the simple need to make a living.
While the footmen do commit the crimes, the ones orchestrating the poaching are the kingpins who find themselves above the law. The kingpins never do the dirty work, but reap all the benefits.
Though the justice system prosecutes the lowest end of the criminal chain, the law can never break all of the links that make up international crime syndicates responsible for the poaching.
South African Poachers Escape Punishment by Fleeing to Mozambique
Even when the poachers are caught, many are able to escape punishment by posting bail and fleeing the country to Mozambique where extradition treaties have never been signed.
Activists have been rallying to push for Mozambique to sign an extradition treaty as well as for South Africa to enforce harsher penalties and mandatory minimum sentencing for poachers.
While the idea of a heavier, mandatory sentence may achieve some good, when you take one poacher out, there are several more to fill his shoes and take up his gun. Though quick arrests and high conviction rates do occuring, without a steady, intense focus on building proper cases against the organized crime rings, poaching will still be an issue in South Africa.
Until legislation changes, the problem of poaching will need to be addressed in other facets. Though we can’t stop poaching in its tracks, we can help rhinos and join in the conservation efforts through organizations like Save the Rhino or the African Wildlife Foundation.
Additional Image Credit to Sascha Wenninger
Second Additional Image Credit to Chris Eason
Introducing Moscase: The New Generation Of Smartphone Cases. As seen on Clapway TV.
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