Madonsela Delegates KZN Rep to Attend Trial of Alleged Rhino Kingpin

Advocate Thuli Madonsela, the revered outgoing Public Protector of South Africa, has delegated the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Representative to attend the trial of Zululand’s alleged rhino poaching “kingpin” Dumisani Gwala, starting this Monday 19 September 2016.

The trial was meant to start on 5 September, but was postponed because Gwala’s new defence attorney claimed she had been unable to prepare because she “dropped her phone”.

According to Jamie Joseph, founder of Saving The Wild, several previous cases against Gwala have either been withdrawn or the dockets have “suspiciously gone missing”.

Jamie is on a mission to expose alleged corruption; and to support the rangers on the frontline of rhino poaching.

On Friday she said: “As the full moon rises again, my mind begins to peddle backwards through the last four weeks of carnage and corruption, and a blood rhino blacklist that I still guard over – because some of the most senior people put in charge of protecting South Africa’s natural heritage don’t want to know about it.

“This photo featured in this post with me and a dozen proud rangers, hailing from many African countries, was taken a couple weeks back when I was on an assignment in Kruger shadowing an advanced ranger training course.

Over a few challenging days I observed all the little differences between rangers across countries, and the brotherhood that binds them. From weapons handling to tactical movement, clandestine patrols and night operations, there is a mantra that has imprinted on them all.”

“‘We are the bullet proof of the rhino,’ said one ranger proudly, and others began to nod in unison. ‘If we do not save these animals what will we tell our children?’

“We spoke at length about their frustrations, about the web of corruption that has infiltrated this crisis, and we spoke about how the law is not acting as a deterrent.

“These men are out there risking their lives, and it is highly likely (15% conviction rate) that when they do catch and arrest a poacher, he will get off, no jail time, and he will kill more rhinos.

“We spoke about my own personal battle to ensure Zululand’s alleged rhino poaching kingpin Dumisani Gwala gets exactly what he deserves, and how critical it is to go after the syndicates.

“I wish I could spend all my time in the bush, but ultimately, that’s not where this war is going to be won. This war will be won in the courtrooms, and in the halls of Parliament (where I was yesterday). Since Gwala’s trial was postponed on the 5th of September… I have spent more time with lawyers and politicians than I have in my entire life, and it’s been surprisingly invigorating. I suppose when you have nothing to offer but the heart of an activist it brings out a special breed of human.

“Come Monday 19 September when Dumisani Gwala’s trial commences, if Gwala wants to turn the courtroom into a circus, I will feed him to the lions…

MAKE A NOISE | SAVE RHINOS

Trial reporting by savingthewild.com

MORE

• Jamie Joseph –  http://www.savingthewild.com
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