23 May 2019

Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism, Mr Kitso Mokaila  would this afternoon (2pm) brief the media about the government’s decision to lift the hunting ban. In the press release issued yesterday (May 22) , The ministry states that “Since its imposition, the hunting suspension has become a topical subject in the country. There are developed two schools of thought with some of the view that if hunting was re-instated, communities would support conservation as they realise the potential value and associated income to be derived from wildlife resources and related activities; and as a result, the annual population would increase”.

The release further stated that some people were of the view that the suspension would lead to animal population increases; it would promote conservation especially for the species that experienced reduction. 

It further said it was on this background that Cabinent Sub Committee on Hunting Ban Social Dialogue was established to  start a social dialogue aimed at reviewing the suspension on hunting. “The process involved a nationwide process including holding Kgotla meetings and consulting with Local Authorities, affected communities, NGO’s, tourism businesses, conservationists, researchers and other stakeholders,”  stated the release.

Some of the findings of the Cabinet Sub Committee on Hunting Ban and Social Dialogue were as follows:

i) The number and high levels of human-elephant conflict and the consequent impact on livelihoods was increasing;

iv) Predators appear to have increased and were causing a lot of damage as they kill livestock in large numbers;

v) There is a negative impact of the hunting suspension on livelihoods, particularly for community based organisations that were previously benefiting from consumptive utilisation;

vi) The lack of capacity within the Department of Wildlife and National Parks leads to long response time to problem animal control reports; and

vii) The general consensus from those consulted was that the hunting ban should be lifted.

On the basis of these issues, the Government has reflected and assessed the recommendations, and lifted the suspension. ENDS