Sir Richard Branson: May South Africa have the will to tackle injustice

The human cost of the effort to protect the rhino is devastating, with poaching syndicates criminalising communities that border wildlife areas, and isolating rangers who come from these communities. Shockwaves were felt just a few weeks ago, when South African ranger Anton Mzimba was shot and killed at his home, in front of his family. 

What happened to Mr Mzimba could have happened to any ranger in South Africa – men and women who put their lives on the line every day to save the country’s dwindling rhino population. An appropriate response to the violence and the slaughter requires strong institutions, a commitment to support and protect those fighting on the frontlines, and the will to tackle corruption, injustice and impunity along the entire value chain of this brutal trade.

Saving the Wild and the Djimon Hounsou Foundation, supported by prominent voices from around the world, are asking South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa to strengthen the rule of law and step up the fight against corruption so that poaching syndicates and their enablers can be brought to justice before it is too late. After all, the law is the last line of defence.

To learn more about the campaign for justice, please head over to Saving the Wild on Instagram or Facebook.

Read the full article on Virgin Unite.