Shifeta breaks silence on toddler's shooting
Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta this week said security forces operating in Namibia's national parks are not brutal, but also have rules of engagement.
In addition, the minister said all visitors to national parks must adhere to directives communicated to them in situations where there is contact with security forces.
The minister briefed journalists about the shooting incident in Bwabwata National Park when an anti-poaching unit shot at a family of four - Harald Keil, 33, his wife Teresa, 33, and two daughters, three-year-old Alexia and two-year-old Caytlin.
Alexia was shot in the head and had to undergo surgery, but has since been discharged from hospital.
The family has filed a case of attempted murder against the police. Shifeta said the public need to understand and appreciate the fact that in most incidents where there is exchange of fire between security forces and poachers it is the poachers who open fire first.
“They have dangerous weapons such as AK47s. These are war weapons that they are armed with,” he said. According to Shifeta, the soldiers can be armed with the ammunition that has been confiscated from poachers.
Shifeta further said poachers entering parks are well trained.
“They reverse their footprints. Or they come into the parks wearing hooves and you will think it is a zebra. It is not our wish to kill, but if poachers shoot they have the right to self-defence.”
According to the minister, the Keil family entered the Buffalo Core Area at Bwabwata National Park on 12 March and were briefed at the reception about the rules and regulations as well as the security forces in the park. That same day they left the park.
On 15 March, the family wanted to enter the park again and when officials wanted to brief them again, Keil said he had already been briefed before.
Shifeta said that morning, three gun shots had been reported in the area of Pica-Picau and Nova within the Buffalo Core Area and the anti-poaching unit suspected there were elephant poachers there. Anti-poaching activities were intensified and a mobile roadblock was set up.
“At about 15:00 the anti-poaching unit dressed in full uniform and with a government vehicle parked next to the road and stopped Keil and his family,” said Shifeta.
They introduced themselves and asked to search the vehicle. Keil then just drove off and the team fired warning shots.
The next shot was fired at the right back wheel causing the tyre to puncture.
Three shots were further fired at the vehicle aiming at the wheel but the vehicle still did not stop.
“The family drove past the tourism reception where they could have reported the shooting but did not,” Shifeta said adding that they only stopped at the Divundu checkpoint of the Namibian Police.
He, however, pointed out that there are conflicting versions by the family and the security forces about what happened that day and that investigation will determine what exactly transpired.
According to Shifeta, a Ministerial Committee on Wildlife Protection met on Monday to discuss the incident and ensure that nothing like this will happen in future.
ELLANIE SMIT
In addition, the minister said all visitors to national parks must adhere to directives communicated to them in situations where there is contact with security forces.
The minister briefed journalists about the shooting incident in Bwabwata National Park when an anti-poaching unit shot at a family of four - Harald Keil, 33, his wife Teresa, 33, and two daughters, three-year-old Alexia and two-year-old Caytlin.
Alexia was shot in the head and had to undergo surgery, but has since been discharged from hospital.
The family has filed a case of attempted murder against the police. Shifeta said the public need to understand and appreciate the fact that in most incidents where there is exchange of fire between security forces and poachers it is the poachers who open fire first.
“They have dangerous weapons such as AK47s. These are war weapons that they are armed with,” he said. According to Shifeta, the soldiers can be armed with the ammunition that has been confiscated from poachers.
Shifeta further said poachers entering parks are well trained.
“They reverse their footprints. Or they come into the parks wearing hooves and you will think it is a zebra. It is not our wish to kill, but if poachers shoot they have the right to self-defence.”
According to the minister, the Keil family entered the Buffalo Core Area at Bwabwata National Park on 12 March and were briefed at the reception about the rules and regulations as well as the security forces in the park. That same day they left the park.
On 15 March, the family wanted to enter the park again and when officials wanted to brief them again, Keil said he had already been briefed before.
Shifeta said that morning, three gun shots had been reported in the area of Pica-Picau and Nova within the Buffalo Core Area and the anti-poaching unit suspected there were elephant poachers there. Anti-poaching activities were intensified and a mobile roadblock was set up.
“At about 15:00 the anti-poaching unit dressed in full uniform and with a government vehicle parked next to the road and stopped Keil and his family,” said Shifeta.
They introduced themselves and asked to search the vehicle. Keil then just drove off and the team fired warning shots.
The next shot was fired at the right back wheel causing the tyre to puncture.
Three shots were further fired at the vehicle aiming at the wheel but the vehicle still did not stop.
“The family drove past the tourism reception where they could have reported the shooting but did not,” Shifeta said adding that they only stopped at the Divundu checkpoint of the Namibian Police.
He, however, pointed out that there are conflicting versions by the family and the security forces about what happened that day and that investigation will determine what exactly transpired.
According to Shifeta, a Ministerial Committee on Wildlife Protection met on Monday to discuss the incident and ensure that nothing like this will happen in future.
ELLANIE SMIT
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