Tanzania: Wildlife Wreckers On Firing Line

By Rose Athumani

The government is in the final stages of establishing a special task force to fight environment degradation and wildlife crimes, especially poaching, now on the increase in the country.

Moreover, rangers and wardens from the national park intelligence units managed in the recent operation to apprehend suspected killers of the British helicopter pilot, Roger Gower, in Maswa Game Reserve will be tried in martial courts.

The Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Professor Jumanne Maghembe, said the special task force would comprise officers from different departments in his ministry, including the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA), Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) and Tanzania Forest Service Agency (TSF).

He did not, however, say when the special taskforce will start operating, but stressed this will be different from other operations such as 'Tokomeza.'

Prof Maghembe said the task force will work closely with the Tanzania Intelligence and Security Services (TISS), criminal justice system, Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Tanzania Airport Authority (TAA), Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), local and international conservation organizations and other stakeholders.

"The task force will be responsible with coordinating efforts and resources as well as follow up on taskforce groups established in eight zones, targeting individuals and networks that control illegal trade in elephants tusks, timber and logs", the minister explained.

According to Prof Maghembe, the government is changing the working system for game wardens -- fromcivilian to paramilitary system and bringing back forest rangers who will be trained in handling weapons to curb illegal harvesting of trees for timber and logs in the country's forests.

On Monday, Simiyu Regional Police Commander Lazaro Mambosasa said nine other people have been arrested in connection with the recent killing of the British pilot, including the person believed to have fired the fatal shot at the helicopter, Dotto Pangali (41). The suspects were caught with three elephant tusks and 29 guns following a massive manhunt by the police.

According to the Simiyu PRC, Pangali admitted taking part in the crime and that he is the one who shot down the helicopter using a rifle with registration number 7209460 CAR NA 63229 owned by Mange Balum, who is also in custody.

Others arrested include Shija Mjika (38), Masasi Mandogo (48), Njile Gonga (28), Iddi Mashaka (49), Mwigulu Kanga (40), Mapolu Njige (50), Dotto Huya (45) and Mange Balum (47).

The minister expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the operation, including the security forces, officers from his ministry and Home Affairs Ministry, Friedkin Conservation Fund officials Mr Dan Friedkin and Mr Pratik Patel and other stakeholders.

Gower was fatally shot by poachers while piloting a helicopter during a coordinated effort with the country's wildlife authorities to track down and arrest active elephant killers at the Maswa Game Reserve in Simiyu Region.

Following the heinous crime, President John Magufuli ordered the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are caught in the shortest time possible and prosecuted.