JPM pushes for war on poachers

SUNDAY NEWS Reporter

PRESIDENT John Magufuli yesterday ordered the arrest of all poachers and other suspects who are connected with the illegal business regardless of their positions and seniority.

According to a statement released by the Director of State House Communications, Mr Gerson Msigwa, the president was speaking during an impromptu visit to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.

During his visit, Dr Magufuli was shown 50 elephant tusks and motor vehicles which were seized between Friday and yesterday in Dar es Salaam. The tusks were impounded by the ministry’s anti- poaching special unit.

The task force was formed to conduct operations against poaching in the country. At least eight suspects have been arrested for allegedly being involved in illegal businesses and poaching.

“President Magufuli was shown 50 tusks and motor vehicles which were seized between Friday and yesterday. The anti-poaching unit also has arrested eight poaching suspects,” reads part of the statement.

The head of state was accompanied by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary (PS), Major General Gaudence Milanzi. According to the statement, President Magufuli commended the officers who form the anti-poaching unit for being in the frontline in fighting the vice in the country. He also applauded the public for sharing useful information with the officers who are conducting operations against poachers.

The head of state encouraged the officers to continue fighting poachers and protect the country’s natural resources including animals. He said his government recognises and supports their efforts. “I would like to commend you for this wonderful job you are doing.

I would also like to assure you of my support and encourage you to continue working hard. Make sure you arrest everyone who is involved in this illegal practice regardless of his title, position, religion or his/her age,” said Dr Magufuli.

He added: “We must reach the point where people flee when they meet elephants instead of killing them. We must protect these animals, which are being brutally killed. Let the law take its course,” he said.

He said 50 tusks means 25 elephants have been gunned down and that the government will not tolerate such atrocities. “You have seized 50 elephant tusks, this means 25 elephants have been killed, we cannot allow this to continue.

A few people are doing this for their own interests,” he said.

In June, Tanzania emerged at the epicentre of Africa’s elephant poaching crisis after the government census revealed it had lost 60 per cent of its elephants in just five years.

Tanzania’s elephant population is one of the continent’s largest. But data released by government last year showed that between 2009 and 2014 the number dropped from 109,051 to 43,330.