Nicolene Smalman

A conservation and tourism jewel in the Lowveld – Songimvelo Game Reserve – is in a state of total decay because of ongoing land claims.

Up to 15 000 hectares have been carved out and given to land invaders by means of a game fence through the reserve. Grazing areas where the biggest rhino population is concentrated are being occupied by the invaders.

This, combined with ongoing poaching in the area, have necessitated the Mpumalanga Tourism and Park Agency (MTPA) to move the animals to the Loskop area last week.

“The MTPA has lost control of the reserve. The land claimants are doing what they want and the rhino population has been placed at risk,” John Allen of Cradle of Life said.

“Several rhinos will be moved. The exact figure cannot be divulged as it poses a security risk,” a source added.

According to unconfirmed reports, six rhinos were moved on Wednesday and six more on Thursday.

Barberton Times is in possession of parts of a security audit done on Songimvelo by the MTPA in 2008.

It states that rangers on the reserve are being intimidated by the land claimants and that some of them are poaching the animals and selling the meat to the communities.

Wood is being harvested illegally and up to 6 000 of the claimants’ cattle are roaming the area. Dogs are hunting game unaccompanied.

“The issue of the land claimants and their rights should be addressed immediately.

Tension is building between the rangers and the land claimants as they are intimidating the rangers,” the audit reads.

It took MTPA spokesman Kholofelo Nkambule two days to process Barberton Times’ enquiries into the matter.

The newspaper was only then told that the matter was subjudice and subject to litigation. “These are extremely sensitive issues and we cannot go public about them as it might compromise the work that is currently underway,” Nkambule added.

Songimvelo is the largest provincial game reserve in the country, covering an area of almost 50 000 hectares. It lies along the Eastern Drakensberg escarpment between Barberton and Badplaas.

Two land claims have been submitted on the reserve, one headed by Douglas Nkosi and the other by Moses Nkonto.

A sister newspaper Lowvelder reported in 2008 on marijuana worth R700 million which was destroyed in Songimvelo. “Dagga is still being grown there and animals from adjacent reserves like Nkomazi Game Reserve, are also being poached,” Allen said.

There is also concern about the fact that Songimvelo borders Swaziland. “If the border becomes porous, we will have an even bigger crisis at hand,” Allen added.

Illegal cattle in Songimvelo game Reserve