Wildlife/Level Of Community Awareness Satisfies Attorney General’s Office

Wildlife/Level Of Community Awareness Satisfies Attorney General’s Office

Maputo, 14 Dec (AIM) – The Attorney General’s Office (PGR) expressed on Tuesday, in Maputo, its appreciation for the level of awareness of communities living near conservation areas, which has led to a reduction in crimes against wildlife in Mozambique.

Without giving figures, on the occasion of a Seminar on Processing Crimes against Wildlife, Assistant Attorney General and focal point of the National Programme of Support for the Processing of Wildlife Crime, Amancio Zimba, highlighted the level of awareness of the inspectors of the conservation areas, prosecutors, magistrates, and other actors.

The prosecutor also praised the effect of the revision of the biodiversity conservation law which increased the penalties for crimes against wildlife, with penalties ranging from 12 to 16 years imprisonment.

“It used to be unthinkable that the country could have heavy penalties for killing species of fauna”, said Zimba “Today, the scenario is quite different because even the communities are aware that destroying a species of fauna or flora, especially in conservation areas, is a situation that can lead to very serious penalties. This is to be praised”.

For her part, the director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Mozambique, Helen Pataki, highlighted some results achieved in strengthening the fight against wildlife crimes.

For example, in 2021, USAID provided technical support to 65 district attorneys in Gaza, Sofala, and Niassa provinces, where the three main national parks and reserves are located.

Pataki claimed that, thanks to USAID support, the country has seen an increase in prosecuted wildlife cases. She said the conviction rate has increased from less than 50 per cent four years ago, to 85 per cent in 2021.

“That has contributed to a reduction in the problem of poaching, and illegal trade. These are fantastic achievements and none of this would be possible without a team of dedicated and committed prosecutors”, Pataki said.

The seminar had as its main objective to assess the progress of the Wildlife Crime Processing Support Programme, to understand and analyze the current situation of wildlife crimes, and to strengthen the role of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in the prevention and repression of the crimes in question.
(AIM)
Ad/pf (367)