7 years and R5m later – Polokwane’s rhinos still in limbo

POLOKWANE – Seven years have lapsed and after expenditure of more than R5m, the Polokwane Municipality’s rhinos are still kept at an undisclosed sanctuary at Bela-Bela and it appears that the municipality still has no indication of when or if the animals will ever be seen by visitors of the local municipal game reserve.

Five adult rhinos and four calves were relocated to the farm at Bela-Bela for safekeeping, following an incident when one of the municipality’s rhinos was poached and killed in the reserve during 2017.

The council resolution was for this to be a temporary relocation, but seven years later and at a cost of R59 000 per month plus veterinary costs, no upgrades were done to return and safeguard the rhinos.

You might also want to read: Rhinos temporarily moved from Polokwane Nature Reserve to sanctuary

In the 2018/19 financial year, council budgeted an amount of R1m for the reinforcement of the perimeter fence, but it was not done and the following years had no budget.

The plan was to eventually reintroduce the animals in a five-hectare enclosure.

Nature conservationists opposed the idea and argued that it would in essence be the beginnings of a zoo which becomes a moral dilemma, leaving the animals with not enough space to roam freely.

You might also want to read: Fate of Polokwane’s rhinos a matter of tight secrecy

They also argued that, after being fed in a sanctuary and being reintroduced to roam freely in the reserve, they might pose a safety concern.

The DA urged Mayor John Mpe to intervene and stop this fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

According to DA councillor, Mariette Pretorius, the DA has called upon the municipality to cut its losses and sell the rhinos by means of auction or even donate them to a sanctuary and possibly benefit from the offspring, but to no avail.

“By doing this, we will save money on a monthly basis and actually get some proceeds towards our own fiscus to be spent on the reserve. It is a sad realisation to sell these magnificent animals, but unfortunately it is the correct step to take,” Pretorius said.

You might also want to read: Undecided future of Polokwane’s rhinos still a burden to taxpayers

According to Pretorius, the funds saved could be utilised to upgrade and maintain the existing facilities at the reserve.

“The Kudu house needs urgent upgrading and the borehole infrastructure needs upgrading. The Environmental Training Facility needs serious upgrading and funds should be availed to have the game reserve managed by environmental experts,” Pretorius said and added that the proposed eco-estate will not be a solution to the problem.

Spokesperson for the municipality, Thipa Selala said the rhinos remain safe and in good health.

“The municipality is ensuring their well-being and they will be housed in Polokwane once enhanced safety and security measures are in place to protect these endangered species,” Selala repeated the response that was obtained for the last five years.

Selala did not confirm whether the municipality intends to make any provision in the 2025/26 budget to do something decisive about the matter.