Shock, horror !!!!

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'Hunters killing Kruger game'
10/03/2005 23:10 - (SA)

Cape Town - Animals from the Kruger National Park, including "protected species and even lions", are being hunted and killed by wealthy commercial hunters, according to United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa.

In a letter sent on Thursday to Limpopo environment and tourism MEC Ohm Chabane, he said this had been happening since the boundary fence between Kruger and the adjacent Timbavati Private Nature Reserve (TPNR) had been taken down.

"The fence was inadequate, and the decision (to remove the fence) was allowed since the TPNR's incorporation agreement clearly prohibited commercial hunting.

"However, I have been informed that the TPNR makes available trophy game for commercial hunting.

"This means that not only has the TPNR contravened their own constitution prohibiting commercial hunting, but also that game from the Kruger National Park that roams into the TPNR can be commercially hunted, to balance the books of the TPNR," the letter stated.

'Taking these allegations seriously'

Holomisa has called on Chabane to investigate the matter.

Attempts to contact TPNR for comment were not succesful.

SA National Parks media officer Lulama Luti said late on Thursday the park authorities were "taking these allegations seriously, and will look into the matter".

The park would issue more comment later, she said.

In his letter, Holomisa described the hunting situation as "outrageous".

"It makes a mockery of this country's attempts at nature conservation.

"I've been told that protected species and even lions have been commercially hunted in this fashion inside the TPNR.

'For the pleasure of a select group'

"Surely we cannot condone the destruction of a national asset for the commercial gain of a private institution, and the pleasure of a select group of rich hunters."

A copy of the letter was sent to the office of Environment Minister Marthinus van Schalkkwyk.

Holomisa said "to the extent that the Limpopo government may have issued hunting permits to the TPNR or its members, one has to wonder how that decision could have been allowed".

This was especially so given that the fence had been taken down, and the TPNR's incorporation agreement with SA National Parks prohibited commercial hunting, he said.

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1676134,00.html