We cannot win alone this fight against the people who are destroying our nature and heritage but we should work together to accomplish it. It is important to keep our environment a better one for all.
Rangers alone cannot win the fight and that is why government is inviting the community to work with SAPS in combating crimes against our heritage. Poachers should be arrested and all of us should become rangers from today.
This is according to Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Pat Ngomane when he was speaking on the occasion of the International Rangers Day Celebration that was held yesterday Monday 31 July 2017] at the Kruger National Park.
The event is an annual celebration of the work executed by fallen and living rangers in protecting wild life, nature and heritage across the world. MEC Ngomane went on to say that government should have a partnership with the Kruger National Park in order to enhance development of rangers. He said all stakeholders should work together and play their part in ensuring that no poaching takes place.
“I must indicate that the rangers we are commemorating today are part of the team that worked day and night to ensure that we preserve all endangered species in the fauna and flora kingdom,” Ngomane pointed out”. The MEC further stated that there are hard-working rangers out there who take nature conservation seriously, however there are others who use the information that they have to help criminals beat the system. He said others have been arrested while some are being monitored.
Managing Executive for the Kruger National Park; Glenn Phillips has appreciated the support that the park receives from government. He also took the opportunity and thanked the good work that is done by rangers in protecting of animals and nature. He also pointed out that everyone has the responsibility to preserve animals and the nature for the next generation. “We must make sure that we work together in protecting the lives of rangers. We have a great history and some of our rangers have passed away over the years. This is also in recognition of the living legends. Today we are also celebrating the lives of the fallen rangers and those that were injured in the line of duty,” says Phillips.
Speaking at the same event, Chief Ranger; Nicholus Funda pointed out that the job of a ranger needs men and woman that are dedicated in working day and night whether it is raining or not raining. “We are therefore gathered here today to pay tribute to the rangers that have fallen and those that are still alive. It is with sadness to inform you that we lost two rangers in a brutal manner early this year. They departed while in the line of duty trying to save the lives of the fallen rangers. We must remember all rangers that have departed,” says Funda.
He also thanked them for their contribution to the development of heritage and conservation within Kruger National Park. He said they have lost 105 rangers recently and their families were left with pain. Meanwhile, Mpumalanga SAPS Provincial Commission, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma appreciated the International Federation of Rangers for making this day happen across the world. He says rangers are dying and they need to be protected. He said rangers are working under severe conditions of having to look after animals that poachers kill.
General Zuma noted that we all have the responsibility of protecting our precious heritage. He stated that heritage cannot be robbed from us with guns by criminals.
Ends...
Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison
Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 1579
Mobile: 082 678 1450
E-mail: emabuza@mpg.gov.za