Minister Edna Molewa: 35th Annual Crime Stoppers International Conference

Speech by the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Minister Edna Molewa, at the 35th Annual Crime Stoppers International Conference

“The rise of environmental crimes, its impact on economies and the eco-system and strides made in securing key agreements to curb illegal wildlife trade”

Program Director,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Members of the media.

It is a privilege to be here at the first ever Crime Stoppers International Conference held on African soil.

This gathering is both a timely and a necessary one, based on an essential premise: for any anti-crime initiative to succeed, it requires collaboration and partnerships across society.

The wide range of participants and speakers at this conference, now in its 35th year, is testimony to the successful efforts of the organizers to draw in all sectors, from government, to the private sector, to civil society. Because we know that crime in all its manifestations, affects us all. It affects livelihoods, economies and lives.

I would like to commend the organizers who have brought us here today. It is recognition that each of us has a contribution to make, an insight to share, and advice to impart.

I, like the rest of you, am here to share experiences, to listen, and to learn. For it is a common goal we all share – to see a South Africa no longer blighted by the shadow of crime; a South Africa that is secure, prosperous and safe, and able to realise its full potential.

For in the wise words of Edmund Burke that we know so well: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing.” 

It has been asked of me in the past why, in a country such as ours, with so many competing demands on the state (among them housing, education and healthcare), should resources be allocated to what are so often called ‘green issues.’

That we have been invited here today to address you on the impact of environmental crime is testimony to just how far we have come from the days of these types of questions.

Environmental crime is just that – a crime. It is neither harmless nor victimless. In all its forms, it is a sustained assault on the one resource that is common to us all, and though it may tough us in different ways, it ultimately impacts us all. It is perhaps unique in one particular aspect: it is guaranteed that its effects won’t be felt by us alone, but for generations to come.

Whether it is illegal logging and fishing, species smuggling, the dumping of toxic and hazardous waste, or wildlife poaching – environmental crime is often tied to other forms of criminal activity.

Furthermore, these crimes often have transnational elements, and steadily undermine this country’s efforts to enforce and implement regulations that conserve lives, livelihoods and habitats.

Such crimes result in degradation of the environment, necessitating additional resource allocation for restoration and rehabilitation. Decimation of natural resources destroys the livelihoods of communities, making it harder for them to survive. Millions of rands are lost in tax revenues when these resources are plundered.

The effects of environmental crimes like waste dumping and pollution impact air quality and further burden the public health system as more people become sick and require care.

Species smuggling and poaching damages the unique and fragile biodiversity that has attracted tourists to our shores for so long.

In this the 20th year of democracy, we reflect on where we have come from, and plot the course to Move South Africa Forward. And indeed we are moving forward.

We are one of the only countries in the world where environmental rights are constitutionally protected; and where the state is obliged to take steps to prevent pollution and ecological degradation, promote conservation and secure the ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources.

Earlier this month we launched the annual National Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Report. It offered a promising glimpse into the future management of environmental crimes. Things are getting better. More cases of non-compliance with environmental laws are being reported, and the number of convictions for violators is on the rise. The work of the directorate nicknamed the Green Scorpions is but one of our multi-sectoral efforts towards addressing crimes against the environment.

And yet these gains are being undermined by the rise in environmental crimes not just locally, but globally.

Last year the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released a report titled “UNEP and INTERPOL Assess Impacts of Environmental Crime on Security and Development”.

The report noted that environmental crime is often linked with the exploitation of disadvantaged communities, human rights abuses, violence, conflict, money laundering, corruption and international criminal syndicates.

This connection is all the more evident as we witness the increase in endangered species smuggling and wildlife poaching in Africa, and in particular in South Africa.

The rhino and elephants have made the headlines, but we also face a sustained assault by criminal syndicates on other species, including abalone, cycads, birds and reptiles.

But it is with the poaching of the African rhino that the sinister, brutal methods of these transnational crime syndicates have been laid bare. We are battling well-resourced, well-funded criminal enterprises with a callous disregard for not just environmental protection law, but any law.

After bringing back the South African rhino population from near extinction in the early 1900’s, our sterling conservation record is being undermined as this iconic species is once again under threat from the poacher’s rifle.

South Africa has always been the home of the African rhino. Some 93 percent of Africa’s white rhino and 39 percent of Africa’s black rhino are found here. Largely the result of collaboration with the private sector and conservationists, we can be proud of our track record in preserving these animals. Ironically, it is our very success that has turned South Africa into a target for criminals.

There is no quick fix for the poaching problem. It does not lie in increased militarization in areas where rhino populations are under threat. Neither does it lie in simply telling end-user countries to stop the sale of rhino horn products.

Ours is a collaborative, holistic approach, based on the premise that as these criminal syndicates evolve and adapt their methods, so we too must evolve and adapt out approach and strategies, that we can always be one step ahead.

None of this can be done without the support of our local and international partners, who have tirelessly and generously contributed towards anti-poaching efforts.

One such initiative is The United Nations Environment Programme Global Environment Fund (GEF) Rhino Project. Its aim is to strengthen law enforcement capabilities in order to combat wildlife crime- with a specific focus on rhino. 

The GEF has allocated approximately $2.7 million US Dollars to this project over a period of four years. Among other things its aim is to strengthen our law enforcement capabilities through improved forensic capacity; strengthened data gathering systems and enhanced cooperation mechanisms at an international level.

Ladies and Gentlemen, our Cabinet has decided that we should implement a more vigorous integrated strategic management approach aimed at reducing the threat to rhinos and the biological management of the species.  This includes strategic translocation of rhino to locations where they are safer and more conducive to breeding.

We have introduced and where necessary amended legislation to address the problem.

In July 2013, the National Environmental Management Laws First Amendment Act was also signed into law. This has since strengthened regulatory and enforcement provisions to prevent the abuse of the hunting permitting system. It includes provisions to defer, suspend and cancel permits under certain circumstances.

Earlier this year we signed a Biodiversity Management MoU with Mozambique. This was the third agreement of that nature to be concluded by South Africa with rhino horn consumer and transit states since December 2012. The other two MoUs were signed with Vietnam in 2012 and the People’s Republic of China in 2013.

The MoUs highlight cooperation in areas such as biodiversity law enforcement; wildlife trade and community development through a biodiversity economy, and cross-border security operations. Similar such agreements with partner countries and so-called rhino range states like Kenya and Botswana have also been initiated, in order to assist us to monitor and mitigate the threat.

Last year Cabinet also directed us to investigate the desirability and feasibility of the legalization of a trade in rhino horn. A panel of experts has been established to look into this issue, and will offer recommendations to guide us with regards to this issue. It is important to note that no decision has been made on this and work is on-going.

We would like to urge all stakeholders to work with us in ensuring that whatever position we adopt at CITES in 2016, that is well researched and adheres to sustainable utilisation principles.

In conclusion, it can be said that despite the challenges we face as a country, we have indeed come a long way. From a time when society’s most vulnerable bore the brunt of environmental crime, we now have strong legal frameworks to protect and enforce the rights of all South Africans. And from a time where the use of South Africa’s natural resources including its wildlife and its parks, was the preserve of a select few, there is now greater equity in the distribution of land and resources. Community ownership of natural resources, including rhino, is on the increase.

Because we know that unless communities are made to feel they too have a role in conservation – they will only too easily fall prey to recruitment by poachers.

As part of our commitment to sustainable development we will continue to look for new and innovative ways to remain always a step ahead of the perpetrators of environmental crime.

And in this we look to you to join hands with us in partnership. Then and only then will we realize a future South Africa that is a healthy place to live in and a safe haven for the countless species with which we have been so richly endowed.

It is this future we wish to build and to see in our lifetimes.. a future that means a better life for all, and for those yet to come.

I thank you.

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