Presented at USA-SOUTH AFRICA: BORDER SURVEILLANCE AND ANTI-POACHING TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION SYMPOSIUM by Tshepo Morem iDeputy Director General: Environment & Conservation

1. The Free State Province
Presented by Tshepo Moremi
Deputy Director General: Environment & Conservation

2. THE FREE STATE PROVINCE
Presented by Tshepo Moremi
Deputy Director General: Environment & Conservation

3. Presentation contains;
• FS Province in relation to South Africa
• Problem Statement – background
• Steps taken to protect rhino
• The anti –poaching teams
• Challenges
• Questions
• Presenter / contact detail

4. WHERE ARE WE
SITUATED.

5. The Free State Province
The Free State borders on the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape,
North-West, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng
Province and also shares a border with Lesotho.
The biggest part of the Free State is an undulating grass plain
at between 1 000 m and 1 500 m.
However, the eastern and southern region, which borders
Lesotho, is hilly to mountainous, with scattered flat-topped
hills or 'kopjes'.
The Province is encircled by the Vaal River in the north and
the Xhariep in the South , with smaller rivers draining the
interior

6. THE BACKGROUND TO OUR PROBLEM
Many Vietnamese did pseudo hunts on
private land previously – thus they
know where the rhinos are
Private land owners do not yet accept
that they are at risk.
Every rhino action that takes place
turns out to be a circus – people speak and
every body is invited to attend.
No one seems to understand the need
to know principle when it comes to where
rhino are kept.

7. WHAT ARE WE DOING TO PROTECT
THE RHINO.
Fence lines on all protected areas are cleared of bush and
grass, graded and swept once a week – tracks picked up fast
when persons climb over fence line.
Observation posts are moved constantly.
Rhino are counted and monitored on a daily basis.
Rhino guards are deployed in the same areas as where the
rhino are found.
Camera traps are placed throughout the areas at crucial
points.
Rhino guards rely heavily on tracks found.
Reaction plans are in place.

8. THE ANTI-POACHING TEAMS AND THE
OPERATIONAL AREAS.

9. Fence lines on all protected areas are cleared of bush and
grass, graded and swept once a week

11. THE PRESENT SITUATION
In total there are thus 448 White rhino and 12 Black
rhino in the Province.
Largest Government protected area is approximately
24 000 ha and the largest Private ranch is
approximately 16 000 ha, thus rhino are in confined
spaces making them easy targets for poachers.
To date 17 white rhino have been poached in the province
8 on private land and 9 white rhino on Provincial land of
which 2 survived but horns removed.
One poacher fatally wounded on a Protected Area and one
arrested.
On private land 5 were arrested for attempted poaching.

12. TOTAL “DISRESPECT” –
DID THIS LEAD TO A COUNTRY’S FALL???

13. THE THREAT

14. And when it all goes wrong?

15. CURRENT INITIATIVES RELATING TO
ANTI- RHINO POACHING
Very strong Prov. Joints Operation Rhino initiative.
Very good communication channels between SAPS and
DETEA and private land owners as well as Protected Area
Managers.
Monthly special operations carried out in areas with rhino
– various arrests have been made through these operations.
Very strict permit conditions for hunting and keeping
rhino – all rhino related actions attended by officials.
All rhino hunts and translocations attended by officials
and DNA taken.

16. CURRENT INITIATIVES RELATING TO
ANTI-RHINO POACHING
All private & government stocks in process of being
numbered and DNA taken and taken up into the National
Rhino Horn Stockpile – 95% complete.
Regular disruptive operations held with SAPS including
Vehicle Control Points (VCP’s)
Regular observation points established in areas where
rhino are found.
Ongoing training of personnel, South African Police,
Border Police and Rhino Owners.

17. OUR CHALLENGES
Equipment lacking – no surveillance equipment,
no bullet proof vests or flack jackets
Need semi automatic weapons.
Lack of Capacity.
High age of the rhino guards & limited numbers
Air support a serious problem helicopters have
to be hired in when problems arise - reactive
Lack of suitable vehicles for the job, limited 4 x 4
vehicles available.
Most important -Day/night surveillance equipment
needed
Ageing stafff

18. IN A PERFECT WORLD
To have high tech surveillance equipment 24/7
technology can replace many people
Be able to radio for support
Have vehicles for support to arrive in
Need semi automatic weapons & protective
gear.
Legal support

19. WHAT YOUR EQUIPMENT
SHOULD NOT LOOK LIKE.

20. Contact detail
Mr Tshepo Moremi
Deputy Director General
E-mail: moremit@detea.fs.gov.za
Tel: +27(0)51 400 9410
Cell: +27(0)71 624 6524
Thank you