Cabinet on Wednesday condemned the poaching of more than 200 rhinos in parts of the country.
“These killings are posing a threat to the strides the country has made in rhino conservation over the years,” government spokesperson Themba Maseko told a media briefing after Cabinet’s regular Wednesday meeting.
“We welcome the arrest and prosecution of the criminals who are implicated in this act of thuggery and cruelty against the rhinos,” he said.
The government called on all South Africans to be vigilant and cooperate with the law enforcement authorities to ensure that all those implicated in the poaching were brought to book as soon as possible.
The government supported all efforts by civil society, such as LeadSA, to raise awareness about rhino poaching, as “we believe that all South Africans have a role to play fighting the rhino poachers”, Maseko said. — Sapa