Ranger heroes honoured
Families mourn loss as Mkhize heaps on praise
THEY were true heroes who lost their lives while trying to protect nature. This is how Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife CEO Bandile Mkhize described the two field rangers, Phumlani Mthembu, 34, and Mbazwani Mhlongo, 57, who died in the line of duty.
Mthembu and colleague Mhlongo disappeared last Friday after paddling a confiscated dugout canoe loaded with illegal nets on Nhlabane Lake, midway between St Lucia and Richards Bay.
Mthembu’s body was recovered on Monday afternoon while Mhlongo’s was found the next morning.
Yesterday Mkhize and members of the KZN legislature’s portfolio committee went to visit the families of the rangers at their KwaNgwanase and Mkhuze homes in northern KZN.
At Mthembu’s home almost every relative was in tears and it remained that way throughout the visit.
Mkhize told the family that he was still shocked by the deaths of the two men, saying that when the report initially came to him, he had high hopes that the pair would be found alive.
“In fact, I told the staff not to talk about it until we were sure. I also told them not to mention the names of the two who had gone missing.
“But days passed and I began to worry and indeed they were both found dead,” he said.
Mkhize said that when both the bodies had been recovered, they had prayed because the news had hit them hard.
“Everyone had tried to save their lives by searching continuously for them in hope. It hurts that they died while protecting the things of this organisation.
“To be a field ranger is an exclusive job and one trains to become one. The truth is they are the ones who really conserve nature and we are proud of them,” he said.
Mthembu was described by Mkhize as having been a dedicated worker whose shoes would be hard to fill.
Speaking about Mhlongo, who had been with the organisation for about 35 years, Mkhize said he remembered last shaking hands with him in April, “when we gave him an award for being the top field ranger in the organisation”.
“Little did I know that he would be leaving us so soon,” he said.
Mkhize described Mhlongo as an outstanding ranger and one of the hardest-working people in Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
Both men would be missed for their hard work and dedication and both would be hard to replace, he said.
Mthembu’s uncle Allison Mthembu, who could not contain his tears, said all he now wanted for Mthembu was for him to rest as he had done his job well.
“We are thankful for all the support that we are getting and for you coming to see us. It really means a lot,” he said.
Henry Mhlongo hailed his elder brother as a hero. “He had made sure I got the education that he never had.
“Back then he only earned R41 a month, but he made sure that I went to school. He worked hard and was such a loving person.
“I am also happy that he was such a great man at work. That indeed was what we knew him to be. We will miss him,” he said.
Omie Singh, chairperson of the portfolio committee, said the two men had done a great job in protecting animals “that could not speak for themselves”.
Mhlongo’s widow, Glady, cried throughout the visit, keeping herself, including her face, covered with a blanket.
“God always takes away the best. Having them working with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife benefited the whole country and they died heroes in the line of duty,” Mkhize said.
A memorial service for the two rangers will be held tomorrow at the Nseleni Nature Reserve where they both worked.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife will carry the costs of Mthembu’s funeral, which will take place on Sunday at the family home, and that of Mhlongo, which will take place on Sunday.