Mthethomusha Game Reserve
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Lisbeth
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Re: Bongani Lodge Burned Down by Community Members
Yes, nothing to do with delivery services. Still vandalism though and a bad one
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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Richprins
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Re: Bongani Lodge Burned Down by Community Members
Bongani Mountain Lodge torching saga far from over
Three men suspected to be involved in the torching of the lodge have been arrested. Present concerns are for the safety of the animals on the reserve after fencing was damaged. Read more about the MTPA's effort to ensure the animals' safety.
37 mins ago
Linzetta Calitz
The Bongani Mountain Lodge saga continues nearly two weeks after the lodge, located within Mthethomusha Game Reserve and bordering the Kruger National Park, was burned to the ground.
A case of arson and tampering with government infrastructure has since been opened, with additional charges of theft and public violence being added. Present concerns are for the safety of the animals on the reserve after fencing was damaged.
Combining feedback from the police, the lodge and Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), the events leading up to the torching of the lodge seemed to have happened as follows:
The SAPS received information that a man was shot and killed in Mpakeni, about 10 kilometres from the lodge. An investigation was opened. Allegations were made that this man was shot while poaching.
MTPA field rangers have been accused of being involved in a gunfight that led to the alleged poacher’s death. The MTPA has denied these claims. “Under no circumstances were any of our rangers involved in this shooting incident,” said the CEO of the MTPA, Johannes Nobunga, in a recent statement. This allegation is being investigated by the police.
After the alleged shooting, Bongani Mountain Lodge had received word from sources within the community that people were planning to vandalise it. The police were notified and Brig Leonard Hlathi, provincial spokesperson for SAPS, said
they had patrolled the area the night of January 29.
On January 31, the police again received word from the lodge, that people were moving towards it, after which police went to monitor the situation.
According to Hlathi, police from Pienaar SAPS found that there was a number of people and called for back-up from KaNyamazane and KaBokweni.
Later in the day, a senior member of the Pienaar SAPS arrived and found the road leading to the lodge barricaded. While they were busy clearing the road, they noticed that the lodge was on fire.Eventually, police and the fire brigade managed to extinguish the blaze. The infrastructure had been severely damaged.
About a week after of the arson incident, police received information regarding the case and arrested three men suspected to be involved in the torching of the lodge. They appeared in the KaNyamazane Magistrate’s Court on charges of arson, possession of stolen goods and other crimes on Tuesday February 9. The case was remanded and the accused remain in custody until February 16 when they can apply for bail.
Animal safety on the reserve
During the days after Bongani Mountain Lodge burned down, widespread concern reigned on social media for the safety of the animals in the reserve.
Hlathi said police received information of poaching taking place on the reserve. Together with MTPA rangers, they responded and discovered nine carcasses, including impala, nyala, klipspringer and spotted genet. A preliminary probe suggested that the presence of the rangers forced the poachers from the scene and they abandon the carcasses.
The SAPS also found and confiscated knives, pots and torches on the scene.
Hlathi said the police are optimistic that arrests are eminent.
Bongani Mountain Lodge is a concession in Mthethomusha Game Reserve, with the MTPA serving as the custodians of the land on behalf of the tribal authority. This also involves the safekeeping of the wildlife.
Nobunga said they are distraught about the burning down of the lodge.
“We have been working with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
“This incident is receiving our utmost urgent attention. Security will be reinforced at the nature reserve so that law and order can be restored.”
The MTPA team is attending to animals on the reserve to avoid any further poaching, and is also replacing the damaged fence.
The Aspinall Foundation, supported by Wildtrust, collaborated with the MTPA on February 8 by sending a helicopter to the reserve.
Regional director of The Aspinall Foundation, Dereck Milburn, said this was to determine the status of the safety of the wildlife to provide the MTPA with information so that it could deploy additional resources. It has since deployed significant resources to the reserve.
“The team did not see any people on the reserve and other than the damage to the lodge and other infrastructure, there was no further indication of incursions.”
Milburn said the lodge cannot currently be accessed by road as it has been barricaded with rocks and debris. “There were also people standing at the barricades.”
He said his team responded to social media posts about the wildlife in the reserve being at risk.
The police statement lastly recognised messages on social media, saying some members of SAPS were reluctant to attend to the fire at the lodge and that an investigation is being conducted.
https://lowvelder.co.za/718909/bongani- ... from-over/
Three men suspected to be involved in the torching of the lodge have been arrested. Present concerns are for the safety of the animals on the reserve after fencing was damaged. Read more about the MTPA's effort to ensure the animals' safety.
37 mins ago
Linzetta Calitz
The Bongani Mountain Lodge saga continues nearly two weeks after the lodge, located within Mthethomusha Game Reserve and bordering the Kruger National Park, was burned to the ground.
A case of arson and tampering with government infrastructure has since been opened, with additional charges of theft and public violence being added. Present concerns are for the safety of the animals on the reserve after fencing was damaged.
Combining feedback from the police, the lodge and Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), the events leading up to the torching of the lodge seemed to have happened as follows:
The SAPS received information that a man was shot and killed in Mpakeni, about 10 kilometres from the lodge. An investigation was opened. Allegations were made that this man was shot while poaching.
MTPA field rangers have been accused of being involved in a gunfight that led to the alleged poacher’s death. The MTPA has denied these claims. “Under no circumstances were any of our rangers involved in this shooting incident,” said the CEO of the MTPA, Johannes Nobunga, in a recent statement. This allegation is being investigated by the police.
After the alleged shooting, Bongani Mountain Lodge had received word from sources within the community that people were planning to vandalise it. The police were notified and Brig Leonard Hlathi, provincial spokesperson for SAPS, said
they had patrolled the area the night of January 29.
On January 31, the police again received word from the lodge, that people were moving towards it, after which police went to monitor the situation.
According to Hlathi, police from Pienaar SAPS found that there was a number of people and called for back-up from KaNyamazane and KaBokweni.
Later in the day, a senior member of the Pienaar SAPS arrived and found the road leading to the lodge barricaded. While they were busy clearing the road, they noticed that the lodge was on fire.Eventually, police and the fire brigade managed to extinguish the blaze. The infrastructure had been severely damaged.
About a week after of the arson incident, police received information regarding the case and arrested three men suspected to be involved in the torching of the lodge. They appeared in the KaNyamazane Magistrate’s Court on charges of arson, possession of stolen goods and other crimes on Tuesday February 9. The case was remanded and the accused remain in custody until February 16 when they can apply for bail.
Animal safety on the reserve
During the days after Bongani Mountain Lodge burned down, widespread concern reigned on social media for the safety of the animals in the reserve.
Hlathi said police received information of poaching taking place on the reserve. Together with MTPA rangers, they responded and discovered nine carcasses, including impala, nyala, klipspringer and spotted genet. A preliminary probe suggested that the presence of the rangers forced the poachers from the scene and they abandon the carcasses.
The SAPS also found and confiscated knives, pots and torches on the scene.
Hlathi said the police are optimistic that arrests are eminent.
Bongani Mountain Lodge is a concession in Mthethomusha Game Reserve, with the MTPA serving as the custodians of the land on behalf of the tribal authority. This also involves the safekeeping of the wildlife.
Nobunga said they are distraught about the burning down of the lodge.
“We have been working with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
“This incident is receiving our utmost urgent attention. Security will be reinforced at the nature reserve so that law and order can be restored.”
The MTPA team is attending to animals on the reserve to avoid any further poaching, and is also replacing the damaged fence.
The Aspinall Foundation, supported by Wildtrust, collaborated with the MTPA on February 8 by sending a helicopter to the reserve.
Regional director of The Aspinall Foundation, Dereck Milburn, said this was to determine the status of the safety of the wildlife to provide the MTPA with information so that it could deploy additional resources. It has since deployed significant resources to the reserve.
“The team did not see any people on the reserve and other than the damage to the lodge and other infrastructure, there was no further indication of incursions.”
Milburn said the lodge cannot currently be accessed by road as it has been barricaded with rocks and debris. “There were also people standing at the barricades.”
He said his team responded to social media posts about the wildlife in the reserve being at risk.
The police statement lastly recognised messages on social media, saying some members of SAPS were reluctant to attend to the fire at the lodge and that an investigation is being conducted.
https://lowvelder.co.za/718909/bongani- ... from-over/
Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
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Lisbeth
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Re: Bongani Lodge Burned Down by Community Members
As always too late. Here they really had the opportunity to intervene in time. With all the information that arrived, why did they not leave police forces on guard both at the lodge, in the reserve and on the road“This incident is receiving our utmost urgent attention. Security will be reinforced at the nature reserve so that law and order can be restored.”
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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Richprins
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Re: Bongani Lodge Burned Down by Community Members
Bongani Mountain Lodge’s rhinos moved to safety
The lodge, sharing a border with the Kruger National Park, was burned down on January 31 and a case of arson is being investigated.
8 hours ago
Linzetta Calitz
After widespread concern for the safety of animals within the Mthethomusha Game Reserve where the Bongani Mountain Lodge is located, three rhinos on the reserve have all been successfully relocated.
The Aspinall Foundation in partnership with WILDTRUST and the Wildlife Emergency Fund again aided the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) in rehoming these rhinos after it had assisted the agency in determining the safety of animals on the reserve about a week ago.
Jana Meyer of the Hope for Wildlife Helicopter Services did the flying while the MTPA capture team provided ground support.
Dereck Milburn, regional director of the Aspinall Foundation, said this extensive operation took place in three phases over the last seven days.
“The first phase was to fly over the reserve to determine the status of the rhino and other wildlife in the reserve. During phase two we translocated two rhinos and in the last phase we translocated one rhino.”
The team had to wait for the rhinos to be in the right locations before they could capture and translocate them. “Mthethomusha has exceptionally difficult terrain to work in,” remarked Milburn.
Despite the challenging terrain, the operation “went really well and no people or animals were injured.” Milburn said this was largely due to the expertise of the MTPA ground crew and the experienced helicopter flying. “We could not have asked for better.”
A considerable amount of time was spent flying over the reserve with helicopters and no carcasses were seen. “The rhinos were considered the only animals at immediate risk and they were therefore translocated.”
Milburn, who personally formed part of the operation, said MTPA rangers are still patrolling the reserve and protecting the remaining animals.
“Considerable resources have been spent on this to date.”
The partners contributed R110 000 for helicopter time, vet costs, some equipment and the MTPA provided trucks, crates and ground crews.
“It was definitely a collaborative effort showing how NGOs can work successfully with government in emergencies like this.”
The team found the situation calm at Bongani Mountain Lodge and were able to access the reserve by public roads. “We did not experience any hostile activity and it is clear that the MTPA team has everything under control.”
The rhinos were successfully taken in at the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary that offers them world-class care.
The CEO of WILDTRUST, Dr Roelie Kloppers, remarked on the importance of supporting the vision of this area as an example of conservation in post-apartheid South Africa. “We have been particularly successful working with rural communities in converting land reform sites into biodiversity stewardship sites.
“Here, we provided support for immediate action to move the rhino to safety and hope we can assist in the ongoing work to get the situation stabilised as the area is critical for community-based conservation,” said Kloppers.
Three men suspected to be involved in the torching of the lodge have been arrested. They appeared in the KaNyamazane Magistrate’s Court on charges of arson, possession of stolen goods and other crimes on Tuesday February 9. The matter was postponed to February 26 for a bail application.
https://lowvelder.co.za/719707/bongani- ... to-safety/
The lodge, sharing a border with the Kruger National Park, was burned down on January 31 and a case of arson is being investigated.
8 hours ago
Linzetta Calitz
After widespread concern for the safety of animals within the Mthethomusha Game Reserve where the Bongani Mountain Lodge is located, three rhinos on the reserve have all been successfully relocated.
The Aspinall Foundation in partnership with WILDTRUST and the Wildlife Emergency Fund again aided the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) in rehoming these rhinos after it had assisted the agency in determining the safety of animals on the reserve about a week ago.
Jana Meyer of the Hope for Wildlife Helicopter Services did the flying while the MTPA capture team provided ground support.
Dereck Milburn, regional director of the Aspinall Foundation, said this extensive operation took place in three phases over the last seven days.
“The first phase was to fly over the reserve to determine the status of the rhino and other wildlife in the reserve. During phase two we translocated two rhinos and in the last phase we translocated one rhino.”
The team had to wait for the rhinos to be in the right locations before they could capture and translocate them. “Mthethomusha has exceptionally difficult terrain to work in,” remarked Milburn.
Despite the challenging terrain, the operation “went really well and no people or animals were injured.” Milburn said this was largely due to the expertise of the MTPA ground crew and the experienced helicopter flying. “We could not have asked for better.”
A considerable amount of time was spent flying over the reserve with helicopters and no carcasses were seen. “The rhinos were considered the only animals at immediate risk and they were therefore translocated.”
Milburn, who personally formed part of the operation, said MTPA rangers are still patrolling the reserve and protecting the remaining animals.
“Considerable resources have been spent on this to date.”
The partners contributed R110 000 for helicopter time, vet costs, some equipment and the MTPA provided trucks, crates and ground crews.
“It was definitely a collaborative effort showing how NGOs can work successfully with government in emergencies like this.”
The team found the situation calm at Bongani Mountain Lodge and were able to access the reserve by public roads. “We did not experience any hostile activity and it is clear that the MTPA team has everything under control.”
The rhinos were successfully taken in at the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary that offers them world-class care.
The CEO of WILDTRUST, Dr Roelie Kloppers, remarked on the importance of supporting the vision of this area as an example of conservation in post-apartheid South Africa. “We have been particularly successful working with rural communities in converting land reform sites into biodiversity stewardship sites.
“Here, we provided support for immediate action to move the rhino to safety and hope we can assist in the ongoing work to get the situation stabilised as the area is critical for community-based conservation,” said Kloppers.
Three men suspected to be involved in the torching of the lodge have been arrested. They appeared in the KaNyamazane Magistrate’s Court on charges of arson, possession of stolen goods and other crimes on Tuesday February 9. The matter was postponed to February 26 for a bail application.
https://lowvelder.co.za/719707/bongani- ... to-safety/
Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
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Alf
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Re: Bongani Lodge Burned Down by Community Members
Great work to save the rhinos 
Next trip to the bush??
Let me think......................
Let me think......................
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Lisbeth
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Re: Bongani Lodge Burned Down by Community Members
What a waste of time and resources and stupid vandalism used as an act of meaningless revenge 
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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Richprins
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- Posts: 76086
- Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 3:52 pm
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Re: Bongani Lodge Burned Down by Community Members
Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596