Cape Town: SANParks tightens security in Table Mountain National Park during the festive season 2022/23!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced plans to tighten security inside Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town during the festive season 2022/23. The Sea, Air and Mountain (SEAM) Special Operations Ranger team, the canine unit, members of the Operations Unit, as well as visitor safety rangers, will be deployed to ensure the safety of visitors in the National Park. Following a spate of incidents that have recently occurred, SANParks together with its stakeholders such as the South African Police Services (SAPS), the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement land and marine unit, Metro Search and Rescue, neighbourhood watch groups, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, and various friends and safety groups, have shifted its focus to high priority areas, as they embark on their improved mission to combat crime along Table Mountain National Park.

SANParks recommends visitors to plan their journey in such a way as long queues and waiting periods may be expected Table Mountain National Park gates such as the Cape of Good Hope/Cape Point as it is commonly known, Boulders Penguin Colony, and various picnic sites. Users are encouraged to please bring along their SA ID with to qualify for the local tariff. SANParks does accept electronic proof of SA ID as well as certified copies of SA ID or driver's license.

South African National Parks (SANParks) beefs up security at Kruger National Park this festive season!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that it is increasing surveillance at Kruger National Park entry gates as part of the festive season 2022/23 anti-crime prevention. There will also be increased spot checks of vehicles inside Kruger National Park. SANParks will also implement vehicle number plate recognition, remote vehicle monitoring, radar surveillance as well as night flying with specialised infrared cameras.

“In addition to the normal ranger and security services patrols as well as the dedicated dog units with tracking hounds being deployed on poacher tracks, these will be enhanced during the festive season,” said Acting Kruger National Park Managing Executive, Dr Danny Govender.

The SANParks Environmental Investigative Unit (ECI), which has been successful in operations outside of Kruger National Park, will be joining hands with other law enforcement agencies in tackling criminals in adjoining villages. These operations will be targeted at those supplying rifles, ammunition,and recruiting poachers to commit crime. These are also the next level of poachers who transport and sell onward to their buyers. The operations are assisted by community members who often give good tip-offs to authorities which lead to arrests and convictions. In addition, ongoing collaboration with the Mozambican authorities will continue.
According to SANPArks, these measures are necessitated by the recent spike in poaching, especially snaring and poisoning, inside Kruger National Park which is indiscriminate and kills any animal that gets in contact with those elements.

Kruger National Park: SANParks to set up security checkpoints in Kruger National Park!

South African National Parks (SANParks) is currently in the process of developing effective management strategies to protect the rhino population and more effectively manage wildlife crime and conservation in Kruger National Park in general. As part of this initiative, SANParks and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)– Military Police will be setting up various security checkpoints in the Southern Section of Kruger National Park. These checkpoints aim to improve area integrity and will be conducted with minimum disturbance to the guests and visitors of Kruger National Park.

South Africa: New security measures at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg!

The government of South Africa is set to implement new security strategies to combat the rampant crime at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. The revised measures will see the people working at the airport vetted and rotated to curb corruption, tactical response which will be intensified, increased police and security personal, as well as searching of people entering and leaving the airport.

"Things won't be business as usual. This new security strategy won’t be seasonal- but it is here to stay. The dangerous criminals must know we have an appointment with them. It is going to be a very horrible experience for them. If they come with their guns, they must pray to satan because they will meet our forces on the ground. This is not just war-talk, this is real." [Police Minister Fikile Mbalula, src.]

Travellers arriving at or departing from OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg should be aware of potential delays caused by the new security measures and should allow some extra time for entering or leaving the airport.