Johann Toerien writes:
Slaughtering and shame befell Marloth Park on October 12. Too much for too long! This is the view of many property owners in the park. On Thursday October 10, residents were once again alarmed by the sound of rifle shots and witnessed a “professional hunter” shooting impala within the residential area. Witnesses describe the man as of medium build, driving a white game-hunter vehicle with helpers on the back.
None of the occupants could be identified as Marloth Park field conservation staff. They were certainly not looking for injured or ill animals but shot at random (any impala, pregnant or not). Further investigation and questioning revealed that the hunter was well known to field rangers and was apparently “culling” animals.
How can this be? October 10 falls outside the legal hunting period and pregnant impala, almost ready to deliver their young, were culled. I visited the abattoir on October 11 at the municipality depot and counted
22 carcasses in the cold room ready for sale.
The field ranger, Wilson, said the name of the hunter was apparently Jasper. Upon questioning him about the unborn foetuses and guts, the mood changed.
I contacted the regional police commander who in turn summoned his staff to investigate the matter.
The SAPS investigated the facility at the depot and stated that it was illegal to fire a rifle in any residential area and this was further aggravated by the fact that he was hunting among unsuspected residents.
Mr Jaco Minnaar of the Nkomazi Municipality’s nature conservation department visited the scene. It was further alarming to note that they were all aware of these “culling” exercises and seemingly condoned this action.
The SAPS representative gave me the assurance that they would arrest any person in future and process formal criminal charges for shooting in a residential area.
