Here’s a follow-up on the two posts I made earlier today (25 September 2008) about the campaign for justice for Swazi man Musa Gamedz who was hunted down and executed in broad daylight because he was suspected of poaching on Big Game Parks.
The kind of attack he was subjected to is common. In July 2004 Journeyman Pictures produced a short documentary film Killing the Poachers which revealed that King Mswati III had given a royal warrant that allowed a chief ranger to shoot and if necessary kill people suspected of poaching. Under the Royal Warrant, the killer would not be prosecuted as long as he could show that the poacher was armed and drew a weapon first.
In a description of the documentary, Journeyman, which describes itself as ‘London's leading independent distributor of topical news features, documentaries and footage’, said, ‘Poachers in Swaziland run the risk of being shot if they try to kill any game. They're angry rangers have been given such extreme powers. Thanks to a royal warrant, wildlife chief Ted Riley can now shoot any poacher who threatens Swaziland's wildlife. Not a single endangered rhino has been killed since the law came into force. But critics claim that Ted's rangers act with impunity: “They kill people for killing the animals that have come out to destroy their food.”
To see the documentary, which lasts nearly 14 minutes, click on this link.
See also
DEFEND SWAZILAND’S RURAL PEOPLE
SWAZI COPS LET MAN BE EXECUTED
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