By Khethukuthula Xulu – Natal Witness
The Human Elephant Foundation is concerned over the recent killing of nine elephants on a farm near Vryheid, in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
The foundation said there was no legal permission for this action, which is required by law.
However, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife refuted the claims that there was no permit.
KZN spokesperson Musa Mntambo said Ezemvelo has a standing permit to destroy (kill) damage-causing animals.
He said a difficult decision was made to kill the elephants as there was a potential threat to property and human life.
According to the Human Elephant Foundation, the elephants belonging to the Mawana Game Reserve had moved off the property due to broken fences.
“At a meeting on August 24 in the Edubekeni district, national government representative Thomas Mbedzi clarified that only the national government could authorise the destruction of an elephant herd, a process that would take about a month to approve,” the organisation said.
Mbedzi also noted that the government would consider reports from Ezemvelo, the community, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the discussions from the meeting before making a decision.
“The Human Elephant Foundation, along with other NGOs, has been working to protect both the local community and the elephants after a community member was injured,” said the organisation.
“The foundation is dismayed at the possible unilateral or local decision to kill nine Mawana elephants.
“The organisation has sought an urgent court interdict to prevent further destruction and condemns the killings as contrary to South African conservation laws, vowing to protect the remaining elephants and seek redress.”
Speaking to The Witness, Mntambo said the farm owner sent a distress call to Ezemvelo on August 29, reporting that the elephants had entered his land. Mntambo said a helicopter was dispatched to conduct a census of the animals.
Nine elephants were counted, and location identified and confirmed that they were in the community.
On Saturday, Ezemvelo informed Grant Fowlds, who had previously claimed he could help chase the elephants away from the community.
“However, Fowlds was unwilling to assist, citing that Ezemvelo had not provided him with the necessary permit to collar the elephants.
“Given the potential threat to property and human life, a difficult decision was made to destroy the elephants before they could cause more significant damage or potentially harm someone,” said Mntambo.
