Loss of Big Picture
What is the purpose of PHASA?
I don't know directly as I'm not a member, but from their website:
Aims & Objectives:
to promote and safeguard the interests and good name of PHASA and its members;
to promote and safeguard the hunting profession in South Africa;
to promote and participate in the conservation of Africas natural resources;
to promote and facilitate sustainable hunting as a conservation tool;
to promote and facilitate the empowerment of all South Africans wishing to participate in the hunting profession, conservation and related activities;
to engage with the national and provincial Governments of the Republic of South Africa and other countries, in all matters affecting professional hunting, conservation and related activities;
to collaborate with and assist, wherever possible and to the extent reasonably feasible, all officers of organisations and authorities tasked with the conservation of natural resources;
to co-operate with other persons and organisations in Africa and elsewhere having objects similar to those of this Association;
to promote and market South Africa as a leading international hunting destination;
to co-operate with those (wherever situated) who by business or other circumstances are connected with hunting and to provide opportunities for discussion between them and members of the Association on matters of common interest;
to promote adherence to its Code of Conduct by all PHASA members and to sanction members who contravene its Code of Conduct or act contrary to these Aims and Objects or other provisions of the Constitution of the Association;
to render assistance to and serve the needs of members of the Association;
to render assistance to and serve the needs, wherever possible and to the extent reasonably feasible, of the clientele of PHASA members;
to regulate or prohibit, as the case may be, the publication in the Republic of South Africa or elsewhere by members of advertisements, interviews or press releases, that may be contrary to the objects of the Association; and
to develop fellowship and cooperation among professional hunters.
PHASA Website:
Mission
My understanding, and please correct me if I'm wrong PHASA members, is that PHASA has no authority to enforce any laws. They can only report suspect violations of the law to RSA authorities. They can sanction members, which I would guess to mean suspension or cancellation of their PHASA memberships. So how really do PHASA members support the first two Aims and Objectives I've put in bold above?
What is the purpose of AfricaHunting.com?
Well I'm not Jerome but I have been a member here for a few years. My opinion is that this website's purpose is a place to both receive and provide information in regards to any matters relevant to hunting Africa, other places too, but primarily Africa. In regards to members looking to book a hunt in Africa, information here can help ensure that the hunter goes on a hunt with a reputable law abiding outfitter. This helps to ensure not only does the hunter have the safari he's wanting but that it is also conducted appropriately protecting the hunter from any violations of African as well as international laws.
Accusations were made against Loodt by PHASA members that Loodt was not operating with all of the necessary permits. These accusations were then substantiated and confirmed to be true by Loodt himself.
So in my opinion, this "system" has worked. AfricaHunting.com has served a purpose by providing a place for information about hunting in RSA, information that specifically if taken to heart by prospective clients would prevent them from violations of hunting laws by hunting with an unauthorized outfitter. PHASA members have contributed by bringing these facts to light and have therefore served one of its objectives of safeguarding the hunting profession in South Africa.
Guilt or innocence in a court of law is NOT what this is about. Now Loodt may in fact find himself in court and then again maybe he won't. But that's irrelevant to this website or PHASA.
What is relevant is that if you are someone who has or is considering booking and hunting with Loodt, you have been provided critical information, confirmed by Loodt himself, that if you do so, you could find yourself in a bad spot.
billc you've questioned the motives of the outfitters. How would you if you were a PHASA member/oufitter bring to light situations which are threatening to safari hunting in RSA and to prospective clients in such a way that motives cannot be questioned?
You have also suggested that this thread has turned into some sort of internet trial. By the way, I also hate those types of trials when they come up. In those "trials" normally intelligent mature adults somehow turn into immature children who leap to conclusions unhampered by actually having all or even a majority of the facts. However there is some irony here. Earlier in the thread you brought up to Bushwack that he did not refund a deposit to a man who was and has now died due to cancer. I don't know if you realize it or not, but this situation with Loodt has not only been brought up here on AH, but also on another website. On that other website's Loodt thread, AH has received strong criticism about "welcoming with open arms" Bushwack. That we here on AH defended his actions and we're not REAL men for not being more critical of him.
So in one camp AH is way too hard/critical and in another way too soft/accepting.
Personally I appreciate the manner in which this thread has been conducted by both the gents bringing this matter to light and for Loodt being willing to be honest and not try to cover up. If and when and its most likely just a matter of time, a situation comes up like this, that it be handled in the exact same manner as this one.
But if you have suggestions for improvement for such, I know I'm willing to listen/read them.
