The Kruger National Park (KNP) took a stand with traditional health practitioners against the escalating rhino poaching war in the country. Over 500 traditional health practitioners from Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces gathered at the Skukuza soccer stadium on Friday, 31 August 2012.
"A lot of the suspects that have been arrested have alluded that they use muthi to avoid detection by rangers and dangerous animals. Whether this allegation is true or not, is irrelevant. What is important is that we have entered into a pact, to ensure that we fight these criminals, for the good of our beautiful country. This pact means that no criminals or poacher will get any muti. If they are to get any muti, it must be one that will expose them" said KNP Managing Executive Mr Abe Sibiya.
Traditional health practitioners say that through their 'muti' they can make a contribution towards the reduction of rhino poaching in the park. This initiative headed by Dr Sylvester Hlati is the first of its kind, where communities bordering the park came publicly to declare their stand against rhino poaching.
"Society cannot stand by and watch helplessly as international criminals declare war on our nation. We all need to defend our heritage with everything we have" added Mr Sibiya.
He urged communities to take part in anti-rhino poaching initiatives. "To the rest of us, we need to go out there and expose these selfish detractors and betrayers of our country. They live in our neighbourhoods. They are easily identifiable through their lifestyles".
The traditional health practitioners had a night vigil at Mkhuhlu stadium where they performed the rituals and asked intervention from their ancestors.
