Note to Editors: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Cllr Maritha Coetzee.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Matlosana Local Municipality conducted an extensive oversight inspection this weekend following the sad news that two rhinos at the Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve fell victim to poaching last weekend. (See images here and here).
We arranged that the remaining 3 rhinos be transported to a safe and private location away from the Faan Meintjies Reserve. The reserve struggles with a lack of resources. The reserve fencing needs to be replaced and needs a 4×4 vehicle to assist with game management and patrols. There is also a lack of conservation officers.
The DA previously supported the de-horning of rhinos at a Community Services Portfolio meeting in July to prevent poaching. Council would not have incurred any costs as the Centurion Academy secured sponsors. The item was referred back to Council due to unrelated follow-up questions from the ANC.
The rhinos would have been dehorned and would still be alive today if this had not occurred.
The Centurion Academy is located at the Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve and offers nature conservation courses to students. The Academy wants to launch a ‘Friends of Faan Meintjies” project in a bid to secure additional support to secure and improve the management of the reserve. This proposal was also dismissed by the ANC in Matlosana.
The DA will also write to the Mayor James Tsolela, Speaker Stella Mondlane, and the Municipal Manager, Lesego Seametso, to request that Council reconsiders its support for the “Friends of Faan Meintjies” project so that it can be implemented to improve the overall management of the reserve.