Episode 42 - The Weekly News 06-30-2021 - Special Report!

South Africa is facing a critical period in conservation legislation reform. 2 months after Barbara Creecy, the minister of the Department of Forest Fisheries and the Environment, released the findings of a high level panel to investigate the contentious intensive captive lion breeding industry and rhino breeding industry, the policy paper has now been released for public comment before being law. It is a convoluted process but it has already sent ripples through the conservation community. But perhaps the greatest threat to this landmark legislation not going through, are the conservation NGOs themselves. The legislation offers a major step forward in conservation efforts and should be supported - but we need unity. In this special report, we talk to investigative journalist and Research Fellow at the Centre of Criminology, University of Cape Town - Don Pinnock about the urgent need for unity in conservation and the need to support this landmark amendment.We encourage all of our listeners to sign the petition and to show support for the shutting down of the appalling captive lion breeding industry.The high level panel’s findings can be found here.The policy document can be found here. All interested parties have 30 days from the 28th of June to submit comment for consideration by the minister.Peter’s editorial focuses on the extravagant funeral of assassinated and alleged rhino poaching kingpin, Petros “Mr Big” Mabuza and asks why was he seen by many as a hero of the people.