LAW ENFORCERS, LAWYERS TEAM UP TO FIGHT POACHING AT BURUNGE WMA

  

Maipac reporter, Babati 

maipacarusha20@gmail.com

Law enforcers and lawyers will team up to fight poaching within and around Burunge wildlife management area (WMA) in Babati district, Manyara region.

There had been increased incidences of killing of giraffes in the protected area for game meat trade.

A fortnight ago, two people were arrested for alleged selling of giraffe meat after mowing down the animal

The 283 square km Burunge WMA is sandwiched between the Tarangire and Lake Manyara national parks.

The protected area is managed by the local communities and was formed by ten villages around Lake Burunge.

Burunge WMA secretary, Mr.Benson Mwaise  claim that despite numerous arrests of poaching suspects, they are often set free under unclear circumstances.

When reached on the issue, the Manyara regional crimes officer (RC0) Juma Majura said they will team up with the locals to fight wanton killing of wild animals.

"It is necessary that there is cooperation between the security agencies, the villagers and other players in the conservation sector in order to contain poaching", he said.

Mr. Majura added that the police force in Manyara region will join the game rangers, lawyers and the  Office of Public Prosecutors to indict the suspects.

Recently, the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (Tawa) conducted a training for the WMA rangers and those from Babati district.

Two prosecutors Gertrude Kariongi and Blandina Msawa from the Office of Public Prosecutor  urged the rangers to work professionally.

Ms Kariongi insisted that once arrested the poaching suspects should be immediately arraigned to face the wrath of law.

"Their cases should  be fast-tracked and rulings made without much delay", she pointed out.

On her part, Ms Msawa called on the game rangers to speed up investigations once the suspects are arrested.

The training was conducted by Tawa in collaboration with Chem Chem Association which operates in the area and fully engaged in anti-poaching fight.

This is according to an officer in charge of Tawa in the northern zone regions, Emmanuel Pius who noted that the training was aimed to increase capacity of the rangers in investigations and prosecution.

Chem Chem Association and EBN director NIcolas Negri expressed his desire to continue fighting poachers in order to safeguard the nation's natural heritage.

Speaking during the close of the training,Chem Chem Association manager Clever Zulu said the rangers have been trained in investigations,moping up operations and apprehending of the suspected poachers so that the cases are fast-tracked.