SA National Parks responds to irregularity allegations

SOUTH African National Parks (SANParks) has rejected allegations by the Democratic Alliance (DA) of irregularities in the administration of the Kruger National Park (KNP). The DA cited Satara Camp - where an investigation was launched into the buffalo breeding operation - as an example. "SANP objects, in the strongest terms, to the DA exploiting the current restructuring process - 'Operation Prevail' underway in the parks - to score political points," says Salifou Siddo, head of communications at SANParks. According to him, the organisation is aware of the fact that the strong anti-restructuring lobby that has emerged in the KNP is orchestrating a negative media campaign in an effort to derail the process. "This campaign will not succeed." Siddo says SANParks prides itself in having a "sound corporate governance system" and any allegation of misconduct or irregularity is fully investigated and dealt with accordingly. "In the case of Satara, an internal investigation was launched into the operations of the buffalo breeding programme and the camp manager has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation." At a board meeting last week, the trustees expressed full support of the restructuring process and congratulated management for the way it was being implemented in consultation with the unions. In his speech during a Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) meeting last week - during which the Empowerment and Transformation Charter was signed - chairman of SANParks, Murphy Morobe, admitted that the process of transformation was a "painful, but necessary procedure". See the article 'Parks still not accessible says chairman' for the full story and Morobe's appeal to the industry. (Adéle Mackenzie)