Last month, the Cape Town Declaration on Crimes that Affect the Environment was adopted, marking the first time that major economies recognised environmental crime as organised crime.

“The Cape Town Declaration was the turning point. It was the first time that G20 nations recognised crimes that affect the environment as organised crimes that demand a united response. The outcomes in Rio prove that multilateralism, when rooted intrust and cooperation, can deliver tangible results,” Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, said last week.

The Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on Crimes that Affect the Environment calls for stronger global cooperation to combat illegal wildlife trade, deforestation, mining, waste trafficking and other transnational crimes that undermine environmental security, societies and economic integrity.

In a significant milestone last week, the Rio Declaration on Crimes that Affect the Environment was adopted in Brazil.

It builds directly on the Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on Crimes that Affect the Environment, led by South Africa and adopted by G20 nations, representing more than 85 percent of the global economy, last month.

The Rio Declaration was led by the Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife programme, with Brazil, South Africa, and other governments committing to stronger collective action against crimes that affect the environment.

“The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment congratulates the Government of Brazil, the Royal Foundation, and all international partners on the adoption of the Rio Declaration. South Africa remains committed to turning global ambition into lasting action for people and the planet,” the Department said.

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This is after media reports incorrectly suggested that South Africa plans to diverge from the international consensus on the trade of ivory and rhino horns.

This comes ahead of the upcoming 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP20), which will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 24 November – 5 December 2025.

“Our policy is guided by science, ethics, and global cooperation, not by commercial interest,”  statement from the DFFE said.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, said: “South Africa will not support any move to reopen the ivory or rhino horn trade. Our duty is to protect our wildlife, not to profit from their destruction.”

South Africa’s approach to elephant and rhino conservation is grounded in sustainability, protection of biodiversity, and support for communities who live alongside wildlife.

The department said it will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to combat poaching, dismantle trafficking networks, and strengthen wildlife law enforcement.

“South Africa has a proud record of responsible conservation management under CITES. Our engagement in CITES processes aims to protect species, maintain ecological integrity, and ensure that conservation delivers long-term social and economic benefits.”

The department stressed that any suggestion that they seek to weaken international agreements or undermine collective conservation efforts is without basis.

“The DFFE’s priority is clear and this is to secure a future where elephants, rhinos and people can thrive together.”

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Addressing the United for Wildflife Global Summit 2024 in Cape Town on Monday, the Minister said the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) plays an indispensable role in shaping South Africa’s future within the borders and in the increasingly complex global geopolitical landscape.

“However, despite local and international efforts to address environmental crime at the highest levels of government, it is essential that we now refocus our efforts towards action.

“Representatives from the police, customs, prosecuting authorities, financial intelligence units, and environmental and wildlife investigative agencies all hold crucial roles, and your collaboration is essential.

“We all recognise this global scourge that can only be overcome through a focused and integrated international effort,” the Minister said.

South Africa’s wildlife, plant life and marine life is a target for illicit activities.

“Our lions, rhinoceros, pangolin, succulent plants, abalone, and our fish stock, to name only a few, are significantly at risk and we must respond.

“These crimes… have a devastating impact on our country’s moral fabric (where the poaching culture consumes communities) on our existing and potential eco-tourism industry, and on our good standing in the international community as custodians of irreplaceable natural heritage,” George said.

He emphasised that South Africa remains resolutely focused on implementing the National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking.

This strategy aims to establish a well-resourced, integrated, multidisciplinary law enforcement approach to dismantle the illicit value chain of wildlife trafficking within our country and beyond.

“We recognise that achieving this objective requires the unwavering commitment of our entire government to enhance law enforcement capabilities and to mobilise societal support.

“As part of implementing the strategy, South Africa actively participated in both informal and formal negotiations leading up to the recent United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, Conference of Parties.

“We supported the resolution sponsored by Brazil, France, and Peru, which aims to enhance measures to prevent and combat crimes affecting the environment. This important document recognises that environmental crimes has evolved into a major form of transnational organised crime,” the Minister said.

South Africa remains committed to implementing the key proposals outlined in the resolution.

“We must confront the stark reality that these crimes are not isolated to a series of arbitrary incidents, and that they have developed into highly sophisticated, greed-driven enterprises orchestrated by international criminal syndicates.

“They exploit our natural heritage for financial gain and cause immeasurable harm to the environment while undermining our conservation efforts. These environmental crimes threaten to ravage the world’s natural resources, impose immense financial burdens, and lead to the widespread loss of economic and development opportunities.

“While we are keenly aware of the threat this poses to security and the rule of law, we must also remain cognisant of the complex issues of poverty and the lack of alternative livelihoods that contribute to the rise of such illicit activities,” the Minister said.

South Africa has also actively participated in WIRE meetings since 2016, which have been instrumental in overcoming obstacles related to information sharing and cooperation in investigations.

“This has provided an invaluable platform that enables the international community to strategies, overcome obstacles, ensure meaningful cooperation, and respond swiftly when necessary, despite the bureaucratic processes inherent in any government.

“Collaborating with international counterparts is crucial for tackling wildlife crime, especially since the illicit market is primarily in Southeast Asia. It is essential that we reinforce our working relationship with law enforcement agencies in these countries,” the Minister said.

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“The department is empowered by the National Veld and Forest Fires Act, 1998 (NVFFA) to prevent and combat veld, forest and mountain fires throughout the Republic, and provides for a variety of institutions, methods and practices for achieving this purpose,” the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Bernice Swarts, said on Monday.

Addressing the closing of the 2024 Arbor Month Campaign, Swarts said one of the biggest threats to natural vegetation, property and valuable life is uncontrolled veld and forest fires.

“Some areas in the country are rated as extremely high veld risk areas due to the fact that more than 90% of the area is covered with woodlands. Every year, many lives are lost and millions of rands worth of damages are caused to property, livestock, the environment and the livelihoods, especially that of the rural poor,” Swarts said.

The department is in a process of aligning the FPAs to municipal boundaries to ensure effective use of resources and increased participation and inclusivity, especially for previously disadvantaged communities.

“To ensure that the FPAs are functional, the DFFE provides financial support to FPAs through the Working on Fire Programme and is in the process of transferring vehicles to district municipalities for use by FPAs.

“This will be done in phases, noting that that there are certain requirements that must be met by the FPAs for benefiting from this support. We are aware of other challenges and the department will work closely with Umbrella FPAs to ensure that such challenges are addressed,” the Deputy Minister said.

The responsibilities of FPAs include developing and applying a veld fire management strategy for an area, identifying natural conditions that can cause fire, and regularly communicating fire danger ratings to members in a designated area.

Forestry Sector Masterplan

Meanwhile, government has developed the Forestry Sector Masterplan as a growth, transformation and investment plan for the sector, which is a collaborative effort of government.

One of the key deliverables of the masterplan is the New Afforestation Programme, which refers to the establishment of new plantations on virgin land (undisturbed soil).

“For one to establish plantations, a licence is required in terms of the provisions of the National Water Act, 1998, National Environmental Management Act, 1998 and the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983. The process involves satisfying the issues of water availability, undertaking costly Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies and issues related to soil conservation.

“The DFFE, through the then Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, undertook a study to assess the potential for afforestation in the country, except in the Western Cape. The results reflected an opportunity of 100 000 hectares in the Eastern Cape and 39 000 hectares in KwaZulu-Natal,” Swarts said.

The department has been playing a role of streamlining the afforestation licensing process by paying for the costly EIA studies on behalf of communities.

“This ensures that delays in afforestation are reduced, and communities are supported in obtaining licences. Currently, the period for issuing licences from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is 90 days.

“The department has about 44 000 hectares worth of licences  in the pipeline, which are due for EIAs. The department is in the process of finalising the appointment of Environmental Assessment Practitioners (EAPs) to conduct the studies,” Swarts said.

The masterplan had set a minimum investment target of R16.5 billion, with a maximum target of R30 billion for the year 2025/26.

“Currently, the Rand value of private sector investment has reached R33.2 billion, clearly indicating that the sector has well exceeded the R30 billion target set for the 2025/26 financial year.

“Ensuring that the plantations under the management of the department are brought back into production is high on the agenda of the masterplan. Currently, about 6213,58 hectares have been transferred to communities through the Community Forestry Agreement Model, in line with Section 29 of the National Forests Act, 1998.

“This translates to 27 plantations transferred to communities through the signing of 23 Community Forestry Agreements. Plans are in place to continue with this process, including the leasing of the remaining plantations in the Western Cape.

“As these transfers take place, it is important for the industry to work closely with the department in ensuring that post settlement support is provided for these communities so that they can thrive in the sector,” the Deputy Minister said

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The initiative intends to align conservation more decisively to redress and advancement of shared economic growth in ways that can tangibly changes lives, Singh said. This model of conservation aims to promote social justice and inclusivity, by guaranteeing that all communities, particularly the disadvantaged and marginalised, have fair and equitable access to opportunities and resources.

According to a statement from the department, Vision 2040 reimagines the future of conservation and the institutional fitness of SANParks. Vision 2040 aims to ensure that every South African has a stake in conservation, with tangible benefits that improve livelihoods and create opportunities.

In seeking to realise this future, SANParks believes there is a need to examine its current organisational form, and as the country’s leading conservation agency, how it will be able to fulfill Vision 2040.

Singh congratulated the Board and management of SANParks as he supported the intended approach of implementing Vision 2040 through the rollout of Mega Living Landscapes (MLL).

MLLs are large, interconnected areas that intend to break the myth that conservation is solely the playground of scientists and environmentalists. The department invited ordinary South Africans to find their place within Vision 2040. MLL protected areas will no longer be isolated islands but rather interconnected to their surrounding communities. This approach seeks to foster co-existence, inclusivity, and sustainable development, ensuring that more South Africans are able to participate in conservation efforts.

“SANParks believes we are heading into a future in which authorities and entities which own national parks, farmland, provincial and municipal land, and communal land, could explore improved means of co-existence, with the possibility of benefit sharing as part of South Africa’s conservation estate. Entities could explore the declaration of lands under one entity, which would become a MLL. The resulting MLL would become an anchor for local development, providing jobs, supporting local entrepreneurs, and fostering educational opportunities,” the department said.

The journey to Vision 2040 began in 2022 when SANParks embarked on a consultation process throughout the country. Engagements were conducted with communities neighbouring national parks, visitors to national parks, traditional leaders, employees, conservationists, traditional healers, women, scientists and youth organizations. These inputs helped shape a shared vision for the future of conservation in South Africa as encapsulated in Vision 2040.

Vision 2040 is further part of South Africa’s response to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s goal of conserving 30% of the world’s terrestrial, inland water, and coastal areas, popularly referred to as the 30 x 30 principle. In South Africa, this means expanding conservation lands by an additional 14 million hectares, creating a vast network of interconnected, ecologically vibrant areas.

Singh challenged SANParks to reconvene annually to report back on the Vision 2040 commitments made. In response to this call SANParks will embed Vision 2040 in its plans and integrate it as part of its performance reporting.

Counter-poaching activities are crucial to the success of initiatives like Vision 2040, as they directly address the threats to biodiversity and the ecological balance that conservation efforts aim to protect. Effective counter-poaching strategies foster trust and cooperation between local communities and conservation authorities, ensuring that marginalized groups see tangible benefits from conservation efforts. Counter-poaching is not just about protecting wildlife; it is about creating a sustainable future where both nature and people can thrive together.

In a further sign of efforts to combat poaching, SANParks announced that two former Kruger National Park Rangers were sentenced on 27 September 2024 to an effective 20-year jail term for their involvement in rhino poaching.

Lucky Mkanzi and Joe Sihlangu were field rangers attached to the Crocodile bridge Section of the Park and were arrested in January 2019 in an intelligence driven operation. Information was received that both accused were involved in the transportation of poaching suspects in the Godleni area of the section where two carcasses of white rhino were discovered. Analysis of their vehicle tracking device placed them at the vicinity of the crime scene. The two were taken into custody and confessed to taking part in the crime. An amount of R41 000 was recovered from Shilhangu’s room and it was determined that the money was payment for his participations in the commission of the crime.

SANParks, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the National Prosecuting Agency said they hoped these sentences will send a strong message to the Rangers’ Corps that criminality will not be tolerated and that those involved will face the full might of the law and suffer the consequences of their action.

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The collaborative effort involved the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT), Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), SA National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and South African National Parks (SANParks).  Wildlife crime experts, government officials and conservation sector representatives met at Environment House in Arcadia, Pretoria.

Snaring, according to a SANParks statement, is motivated by “complex socio-economic and cultural drivers” with the symposium exploring snaring from a “myriad of angles and viewpoints”. Information gleaned at the symposium highlighted that animals are largely snared for personal or commercial use, and it is occurring “at unsustainable rates across all provinces and in diverse landscapes”. Species such as leopard, lion, hyena and other predators are killed as by-catch in snares originally set for bushmeat.

A “key takeaway” from the gathering is the need for less of a fortress mentality and a move to more community and sustainable use interaction among stakeholders to positive outcomes for the snaring threat. No solution will be credible without relevant community voices involved in “co-development of solutions”.

“Solutions need to be diverse, purposely inclusive and tailored to, and by, people living in affected areas,” read a statement regarding the symposium’s outcomes.

Among decisions adopted are further research on the drivers and alternative livelihood solutions, more cohesive legislation to address snaring and other wildlife crimes, more centralised reporting and monitoring to ascertain the extent of the problem, as well as creating a greater understanding of the impact of snaring not only on biodiversity as well as on the economy and well-being of communities.

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