Security concerns at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife due to lack of field rangers
There are major security gaps at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife which is struggling to fill vacancies for new field rangers.
That is according to the DA's Heinz de Boer, who says he has received a written response to a question over security concerns at the entity.
Ezemvelo has revealed it still needs to fill 354 field ranger posts.
Out of 962 approved posts, only 608 have been filled.
Guidelines by nature conservation group the International Union for Conservation of Nature state that the entity should have 1 744 rangers on duty.
This equates to one ranger for every five square kilometres.
De Boer, the provincial DA spokesperson for conservation, says more boots are needed on the ground to combat the scourge of poaching.
He says Environmental Affairs needs to boost the struggling entity's budget.
"One has to move field rangers from other areas into another specific area to protect a certain species and we have seen this happen with the rhino and there are simply not enough boots on the ground.
"There is an impact if we don’t budget adequately for the salaries and equipment of field rangers. In this new 2023/24 budget the MEC must make more money available for field rangers and for fencing to protect the animals that are being poached."
