Mpumalanga’s provincial MEC for Community Safety, Mr Vusi Shongwe, has undertaken to personally engage with the local police to find out why illegal hunting with dogs is not stringently policed.
This follows the FF Plus’s serious objection to the fact that illegal hunting gangs are running amok among farming communities across the province, and are looting farms by killing almost anything that dares to move. And still the police take no action.
Numerous such hunting incidents have occurred in the Mkhondo Local Municipality (Amsterdam, eMkhondo / Piet Retief).
In the most recent incident, the police blatantly refused to assist landowners after offenders with approximately 30 emaciated dogs illegally hunted various endangered species of antelope on their properties.
The landowners were shot at, but not even that could persuade the police to make an appearance. In addition, they also refused to open a case docket after the incident was reported.
It was an extremely volatile situation with two armed groups in a face-off and the police refusing to act.
The FF Plus strongly condemns this brutal practice of hunting, and is earnestly calling on the police to assist farmers in their plight to combat this crime instead of turning a blind eye.
Landowners are frustrated with the unsuccessful prosecution of offenders caught on their property.
Farmers and landowners want to strengthen the police’s hands in the fight against illegal hunting.
If the issue is not addressed quickly, illegal hunting with dogs will have a devastating impact on the game and tourism industries.
This practice has already resulted in a significant drop in the populations of various species. What is particularly striking is that the practice endangers the survival of the oribi, steenbok, blue crane and other crane species.
The FF Plus recommends that landowners do the following when confronted with illegal hunters and their dogs:
• Put up a notice which clearly states that it is private land and that any unauthorised entry without the owner’s permission amounts to trespassing. This can only be done at the property’s main entrance and not all around the property.
• Avoid any form of confrontation, especially if you are alone.
• If possible, try to catch the dogs and hand them over to the SPCA. It is illegal in Mpumalanga to shoot dogs.
• Warn the hunters that they are trespassing on your land and that you will call the police if they are unable to produce a valid permit or refuse to vacate the property.
• Report any suspicious activity to the local police station along with any relevant details and thorough descriptions, and retain all evidence.
