There has been a dramatic
increase in “Save the Rhino” activities and programmes – very few of them
actually aimed at saving the rhino. Instead, many of these so-called programmes
are aimed at saving someone’s bank balance to the detriment of our dwindling
rhino population.
Lately, numerous gadgets have
made their appearance in the market aimed at evoking an emotional response to
the majestic rhino. These vary from key-rings to place-maps to plastic bumper
rhino horns. All proclaim to be aimed exclusively at generating money to
contribute towards saving the rhino.
Maybe some of them are – but many,
if not most, are definitely not.
At last count, there were 500 plus such schemes being
driven to save our wildlife heritage. (This figure was given to me by a senior
SARS investigator).
Then, we have witnessed
so-called Special Forces from foreign countries coming here to tell us what to
do. Whereas they might be honourable in their intentions, just who are they to
come here and act as though they are specialists in saving rhinos? What is their
track record in saving rhinos and can they prove it? What would their reaction
be if we travelled to their countries and tried to tell them how to save an
endangered species? But, I suppose, TV programmes pay well even when there are
no positive results.
Even more disturbing to me is a new
venture that claims to be tied to my name.
Let me begin by saying that I
am not – and have never been – associated in any manner or form with “Save the
rhino” programmes, simply because they are not what they appear to be. In fact,
I view the vast majority of these schemes with a very jaundiced eye.
I made my feelings known with
regard to rhino poaching some time ago. I believe that we should hunt the rhino
poachers and give them what they intend giving the rhinos – a taste of lead. We
must do this with aggression and ruthlessness and show them no mercy at all.
But, my feelings on this matter are considered to be politically incorrect in
addition to giving no consideration to the human rights of the poachers.
People who go about collecting
money for so-called anti-rhino poaching initiatives but who have no intention
of passing those funds to an authorised programme to stop the poaching fall
into the category of not only “conman” but “organised crime” – as I believe their
actions are both criminal and organised.
Over the past years, I have
bumped into or heard of many people who have claimed to represent me in numerous
dodgy schemes; some claimed they are very closely associated with me, others claimed
they are “secretly” working with me and some have even claimed to be me.
Enter someone who will be
known by his initials – KB.
On 20 August 2013, I received
an email from an ex-EO employee. In this email he asked the question: “…your name has come up with someone that is
collecting money for the rhino cause. As many people do this falsely both use
your name for things you have nothing to do with and others collect money the
rhino causes never see.
This
man claims he is heading up an intel network on poaching and I am told he says
you are the head honcho. His name is K….. B…….”.
I have heard of KB but have
never met him, have never agreed to support him in any manner or form and have
never, until this morning, spoken to him. I take extreme exception to my name
being used for a cause I deeply believe in but in which I am not involved in
any manner whatsoever.
(I am currently utilising
every source at my disposal to dig deeper into this matter. I contacted KB by
phone this morning (31 August 2013) and he denied this claim – but then, so
does everyone else I have confronted over the years. I have already reported
this con to the relevant law enforcement authorities).
To those out there using the
rhino as a money-making exercise, you will be exposed - sooner or later. As
wildlife crimes are, according to media reports, the 3rd or 4th
most serious criminal activity in the world, those who engage in money
collections using the rhino as their cover are part of this criminal endeavour.
To unsuspecting people out
there, be careful of people claiming to represent me. Question their intentions
and dig deeper than that you are simply told - don’t just part with your money.
If you have any doubts, report them.
If my name is tied to these
schemes and thrown around by these cash-collectors, please let me know and I
shall take very decisive action against them.
