SANParks welcomes apology and retraction by OSCAP

In accepting the apology from OSCAP, the SANParks head of communications, Wanda Mkutshulwa, said, "We unreservedly accept and welcome the apology by Ms Thompson and OSCAP. We also appreciate the positive gesture this letter of apology contains as this will go a long way in encouraging South Africans to work towards jointly coming up with solutions to protect our rhinos."

Mkutshulwa further said that it is important that the public understands that SANParks would not like to stifle debate on difficult issues facing the organisation, however, a little moderation and checking of facts is required at all times before public statements are made.

SANParks further requests members of the public to please report all information of wrong doing to the correct authorities so that appropriate action can be taken to stop these criminals from further exploiting our national heritage.

SANParks is also announcing a new page that will be created in its website by the 30 January 2013 which will be called Scam Watch. "The purpose of this website page is to alert the public on possible scams, related to rhinos and other areas, that are doing the rounds in a bid to extort money from members of the public and to possibly harm them. This will not be an interactive page like our website forum but will be a place where people can read on the latest scams as well as send information to SANParks on any other new scams that might have been created by these criminals," said Mkutshulwa.

"We urge everyone to use the Crimestop, Crimeline and our investigator's numbers posted on this website page to report wrong doing and to help us apprehend criminals before they do damage to our parks and our heritage."

View OSCAP retraction