http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14969:parliamentary-question-dwa-sandf-patrol-kruger-national-park&catid=86:parliamentary-questions&Itemid=187

Parliamentary Question: DWA: SANDF patrol Kruger National Park

Written by Reuters
Wednesday, 20 April 2011 14:59

QUESTION NO. 855

Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether any steps have been taken to bring the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) into the Kruger National Park to patrol the border with Mozambique in an effort to curb rhino poaching; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether the expense for this deployment of SANDF personnel will be fully or partially paid for by (a) the Department of Environmental Affairs or (b) SANParks; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether there are any terms of agreement between SANParks and SANDF to govern the scope of their work in the park; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) how will the work of the SANDF in the park be coordinated with the park’s own compliance and enforcement officials?

Mr G R Morgan (DA)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS

855. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

1.As part of implementing a Cabinet decision, SANDF is expected to brevert to one of its mandates of border security control. This will potentially be of additional benefit to SANParks in curbing the current rhino poaching.

2.SANDF undertakes border security at their own expense, as per its mandate to conduct and maintain borderline security. Like in all previous instances where cooperative governance has been called for, where necessary; SANDF will be asked through the necessary country leadership structures to support SANParks, in that case, DEA will partially cover the expenses based on agreed terms.

3.A joint draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) guiding the relationship between SANParks and the SANDF is under consideration and still very much at initial stages of development.

4.All operations conducted within the KNP are the responsibility of conservation officials of SANParks and exercised within the broader government mandate.