Implementing lie detector tests among rangers will give them the opportunity to “show that they are trustworthy” and “committed to protecting rhinos,” SANParks said.
- SANParks recently approved a ranger polygraph testing policy.
- The tests are likely to roll out next year and may be mandatory for some job categories.
- The policy is an attempt to reduce the involvement of rangers in rhino poaching and other criminal activities.
The implementation of lie detector tests for rangers will give rangers the opportunity to “show that they are trustworthy” and “committed to the protection of rhinos,” SANParks said.
SANParks is developing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the implementation of its recently approved polygraph testing policy.
SANParks spokesman Rey Thakhuli said the policy was approved by the board in November and signed by the acting chief executive.
He said the policy was developed after extensive consultation with labor law experts and organized workers.
According to Thakhuli, polygraph tests will eventually become mandatory in certain job categories based on a risk assessment.
“However, the current labor law environment and SANParks’ conditions of service do not allow for the mandatory application of polygraph tests. The policy, however, paves the way for negotiating a collective agreement shortly that will result in modified conditions of service, as well as the inclusion of mandatory polygraph tests as part of new employment contracts,” he said.
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For existing employees, modification of employment contracts in accordance with the policy can only be done after negotiations and a collective agreement with organized labor, Thakhuli added.
There is an option for individual employees to voluntarily agree to have their employment contract amended.
“This will be done to manage risks without compromising the rights of employees and without leading to victimization.”
Thakhuli added that polygraph tests could play an important role in preventing staff involvement in criminal activities, such as rhino poaching. This conclusion was drawn from a pilot study among rangers in the Kruger National Park a few years ago.
“The pilot suggested that for most of our rangers, polygraph tests provide an opportunity to prove they are trustworthy and could be one of many initiatives SANParks uses to deter employees from engaging in criminal activity.”
Employees who fail the test are not likely to face disciplinary action, but the test could be used with other tools, such as investigations, to inform criminal and disciplinary proceedings.
Thakhuli said:
Consequently, it is important to appreciate that polygraph testing is not the answer to preventing or managing staff involvement in criminal activity, but is a tool that should be used as part of the toolkit and with a full understanding of its benefits, but as well as its limitations.
In response to a parliamentary question, Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy said the policy would be implemented next year.
“SANParks’ polygraph testing policy was approved by the board on November 23. The policy is scheduled to be implemented in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022/2023. The polygraph test standard operating procedure has also been developed to guide the implementation of the policy,” his response said.
DA spokesman on forestry and fisheries Dave Bryant welcomed the move, which he said would help “combat the rampant and ongoing poaching of South Africa’s endangered wildlife.”
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“The district attorney has been one of the strongest advocates of using polygraph tests as a means to hold SANParks employees accountable,” he said.
“Unfortunately, plans to implement polygraph tests have been stalled for many years, during which time thousands of endangered animals, particularly our rhinos, have been poached. Sadly, the move will come too late for the many rangers who have lost their lives to poachers and so many animals who have fallen victim to the collaboration between corrupt SANParks staff and the criminal underworld,” he said.
Bryant added that Creecy “must do everything possible to force the police minister to work with Interpol to tackle these criminal networks.”
News24 previously reported that conservation groups had called on authorities to disrupt international organized crime groups to stop rhino poaching in South African reserves.
According to WWF South Africa, the threat to African rhinos from transnational criminal networks remains high, despite a reported pause during Covid-19 lockdown periods.
In the first six months of this year, 259 rhinos were killed in South Africa.
According to recent information outlining the global status of rhinos, published by the IUCN African Rhino Specialist Group, African countries recorded 2,707 illegal killings of rhinos between 2018 and 2021. South Africa continues to face the greatest threat, reporting 90 % of these losses. .
