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Kruger National Park (KNP) Management and staff members held a ceremonial event to pay homage to the Ranger Corps, the living, the injured and those who passed on in their line of duty for the protection of fauna and flora of the Park today, 31 July 2018; as part of the International World Ranger Day celebrations. The highlight of the ceremony was a tribute to the late field ranger, Respect Mathebula, who was shot and killed in a contact with a poaching group on 19 July 2018. He was remembered as a young man who lost life whilst performing a worthy deed of protecting the natural heritage of this country.

“Rangers are a key force in protecting the wildlife and fundamental to maintaining the integrity of this national park. Respect Mathebula was the latest ranger to be killed by poachers in the KNP in approximately 60 years. Crocodile Bridge section wherein Respect was based has been one of the hotspots in the Park for these illegal incursions; including the fact that it is on the eastern boundary wherein incursions coming from Mozambique into the KNP occur. He faced the greatest adversity and left an indelible mark; we will remember Respect forever” said the KNP Managing Executive, Glenn Phillips.

Activities included Rangers’ drill, a guard of honour, wreath laying ceremony, the unveiling of Respect Mathebula and other fallen Rangers’ plaques and a key note address by the MEC: Community Safety, Security and Liaison – Mpumalanga Province, Mr. Petrus Ngomane who urged communities, conservation institutions and neighboring countries to work together in order to eradicate environmental crime for the improvement of the continent.

“As management we hope our anti-poaching teams will continue their good work, they deserve not only our admiration and acknowledgement but our undivided support as they continue to protect our natural heritage assets. We also express our gratitude to all the spouses and families of all our Rangers for the sacrifice they all make on daily basis with the knowledge that their partner’s lives might be lost due to the threats that come with the job of dealing with wildlife crime; echoed Phillips as he addressed the Rangers.

In a tribute to Respect Mathebula at his funeral on 28 July 2018, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Dr Edna Molewa highlighted the changing work environment of field rangers in South Africa since rhino poaching increased 10 years ago. “The work of a field ranger became more diverse and complex as these men and women woke each day to continue to lead the way for all of us in conserving our country’s natural wonder. The murder of one of our rangers is an act of aggression by unscrupulous individuals and gangs. His death at the hands of alleged rhino poachers is an indication of the severity of the threat our rangers are faced with a daily basis”. Molewa appealed to community members to honour Mathebula by working with SANParks and the government to preserve South Africa’s heritage.

Issued By

South African National Parks (SANParks), Communications & Marketing Department: Kruger National Park.

Media Enquiries

Ike Phaahla
GM Communications and Marketing, Kruger National Park
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