Around 2,000 community members and representatives from government, conservation and community organisations gathered at Babat Primary School in Justicia on 24 September for an environmental and social crime awareness event held alongside Heritage Day celebrations.
The gathering brought together Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, SAPS, Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, Sabi Sabi, MalaMala, GKEPF, the Department of Civilian Secretariat for Police Service, Jongilanga Traditional Authority, the Department of Education, the Community Policing Forum and the wider community. The Executive Mayor of Bushbuckridge Local Municipality was the keynote speaker.
The programme created an opportunity to speak about both environmental and social crime, including wildlife crime, snaring, poisoning and gender-based violence. The Executive Mayor of Bushbuckridge Local Municipality spoke about the need for communities and government to work together to address crime and highlighted gender-based violence as a serious concern affecting communities. Rangers from Kruger National Park highlighted the impacts of poisoning and snaring, while GKEPF Community Stewardship Officer, Professor Mtungwa spoke about the wider dangers associated with the use of poisons within communities.
One of the day’s most striking contributions came from Ali Nkuna, who is currently on parole while serving a 15-year prison sentence following his involvement in rhino poaching in 2011. Speaking voluntarily to those gathered, Ali Nkuna shared his own experience and warned community members about the consequences of trespassing into protected areas and becoming involved in wildlife crime.
Nkuna, who lost a leg during the incident that led to his arrest, apologised publicly for his actions. Professor Mtungwa reported that the community received his message positively and appreciated his willingness to share his experience and speak about the consequences of being on the wrong side of the law.
For GKEPF, the event formed part of its Education and Awareness work under the Prosper Programme, using community engagement to raise awareness of environmental crime while strengthening relationships between conservation partners, Traditional Authorities and communities.
