‘Systemic deficiencies’ in nature conservation laws, Bdlive.co.za – Business Day Live

MR K, from a rural village in Ulundi, lost both his hands in an attack by a leopard that had escaped from the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. His compensation was R50,000 and a tractor that he could not drive.

The investigation by the public protector’s office found that there were “systemic deficiencies” in the nature conservation laws, policies and conduct in KwaZulu-Natal nature conservation practices that needed urgent attention. The investigation led to the provincial government earmarking R30m for the reparation of the game park’s fence that was erected in the 1950s and has been sporadically “patched” since then.

Public Protector Thuli Mandonsela’s report on the uncompensated wildlife attacks on the communities and their livestock in KwaZulu-Natal is called Ubuntu. She said the members of the communities were prejudiced by the provincial Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife.

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