The unchecked rhino poaching can be considered "a national security risk" given the fact criminal syndicates are behind the scourge, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa said on Thursday.

"The fact that the criminal syndicates involved in rhino poaching also undertake other crimes means that this current situation can be considered a national security risk," Molewa said at a post cabinet briefing in Cape Town.

This entails a comprehensive national response to the crisis which threatens not only the sustainable development path of the country but also the heritage of future generations, she said.

"All efforts to protect the country's rhino population are not just aimed at protecting a species from extinction, but also securing and conserving all South Africa's natural resources."

The minister said that by this week 128 rhino had been poached in South Africa since the beginning of the year, with the Kruger National Park (KNP) continuing to be the hardest hit, having lost 92 rhinos. The North West, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal provinces are also significantly affected by the killing of rhinos, with North West and KwaZulu-Natal losing 12 rhinos each and Limpopo losing eight.

Law enforcement agencies have intensified the fight against rhino poaching, arresting 46 people in connection with rhino poaching this year, three of them couriers, Molewa said. The National Joint Operations Centre (NATJOINTS), which is coordinated by the Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigations, has elevated rhino poaching to a priority crime, according to Molewa. She said some of the rhino poaching interventions in place include the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) assisting with border security in the Kruger National Park, while additional rangers have been trained in anti-poaching methods in the park.

The soldiers presently patrolling the KNP will be obtaining more powers to be of greater assistance in anti-poaching efforts. SANParks (South African National Parks) has also received additional funding from the National Treasury to increase security in the KNP, Molewa said.

She pointed out the need to invest in technology,including unmanned drons while increasing the ground coverage and area integrity by personnel.

Molewa also emphasized the need to implement a centralised permitting system for the hunting of rhino to ensure stricter controls and the elimination of abuse of the permitting system by alleged crime syndicates.

Greater cooperation is being sought from communities living adjacent to protected areas housing rhino, with field rangers being employed from some of the impoverished villages,according to Molewa.

South Africa has continued bilateral engagements with neighbouring states including Mozambique and other countries to increase collaboration on biodiversity and conservation matters, the minister said. Endi

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