News of the slaughter of numerous elephants on Jozini Dam’s eastern shores has ramped up calls by the DA in KZN for national intervention in the ‘war against poaching’.

DA KZN spokesperson on Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Heinz de Boer says the party will escalate the issue to the highest levels of government and ‘demand the swift arrest of those who believe they can destroy our natural heritage and tourism sector’.

Numerous elephant carcasses reportedly litter the vicinity.

Yesterday, tourists on a houseboat had to duck for cover after a group of armed gunmen, allegedly hunting for elephants, reportedly fired shots towards them. No one was injured but the incident left the group extremely shaken.

“Guards near the eSwatini border have allegedly also come under attack, and infrastructure [were] damaged and torched, allegedly by the armed gang,” says De Boer.

“The rampant lawlessness and decimation of flora and fauna within this community has long been highlighted, with the conflict brewing for years. Yet, to date, government has failed to secure this tourist and wildlife haven.

“In the interim, the dam has been systematically stripped of its fish stock, with only the Richards Bay SAPS Water Wing and concerned locals trying to stop the scourge.”