It is an ever-increasing stench
Never before has there been a stronger case for an independent task force to investigate poaching in Namibia. Something is surely rotten in Denmark and the stench is becoming unbearable. The most recent report, that of the three missing alleged poachers in Etosha refers.
There are very ugly allegations being made as to what happened to these three men and while the public at large have shown only disdain for their disappearance as they are alleged to have been in the park poaching, questions still need to be answered.
A highly-skilled task force, locally sourced, has been working on rhino and elephant poaching since its upsurge. The problem is, the poachers always seem to be one step ahead. When someone is arrested, it is a fall guy. The one who pulled the trigger or transported the contraband. The questions are though, for whom was he doing so and where was the contraband going?
It is not rocket science people. If you were in possession of poached ivory or rhino horn, would you know who to contact to dispose of it? Most would not. Hence, people do not just go into national parks or conservation areas and poach animals hoping they will be able to sell the products. No, they are instructed to do with, with a valid ''order'' for the goods. Payment is agreed upon beforehand.
Many of these have been caught and yet, we cannot get any higher. Who is in charge? Who is giving the instructions?
Allegations have been made that there is a link between Sergeant Pendapala Iitula''s transfer from Outjo and the case of the three missing men in Etosha. This should be investigated and soonest.
There have been countless reports and quiet discussions of powerful people responsible for the poaching in Namibia and this makes sense because networks must be established. And most certainly, the shooter who generally lives in a shack and struggles to make ends meet, is not the one to set these up. An independent body should be able to, without fear or favour, launch a probe and get us answers. The rot is becoming unbearable for us ordinary folk.
There are very ugly allegations being made as to what happened to these three men and while the public at large have shown only disdain for their disappearance as they are alleged to have been in the park poaching, questions still need to be answered.
A highly-skilled task force, locally sourced, has been working on rhino and elephant poaching since its upsurge. The problem is, the poachers always seem to be one step ahead. When someone is arrested, it is a fall guy. The one who pulled the trigger or transported the contraband. The questions are though, for whom was he doing so and where was the contraband going?
It is not rocket science people. If you were in possession of poached ivory or rhino horn, would you know who to contact to dispose of it? Most would not. Hence, people do not just go into national parks or conservation areas and poach animals hoping they will be able to sell the products. No, they are instructed to do with, with a valid ''order'' for the goods. Payment is agreed upon beforehand.
Many of these have been caught and yet, we cannot get any higher. Who is in charge? Who is giving the instructions?
Allegations have been made that there is a link between Sergeant Pendapala Iitula''s transfer from Outjo and the case of the three missing men in Etosha. This should be investigated and soonest.
There have been countless reports and quiet discussions of powerful people responsible for the poaching in Namibia and this makes sense because networks must be established. And most certainly, the shooter who generally lives in a shack and struggles to make ends meet, is not the one to set these up. An independent body should be able to, without fear or favour, launch a probe and get us answers. The rot is becoming unbearable for us ordinary folk.
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Namibian Sun
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