Successful month for SANParks

From local is lekker to hyper-localisation: Township consumer trends to watch this festive season

Mongezi Mtati

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that nineteen people have been arrested during the month of October in connection with poaching activities in the Kruger National Park.

The largest group consisted of seven suspects who were arrested on 11 October in Kabokweni, Mpumalanga in an intelligence driven operation.

Making the announcement, the Officer Commanding of the SANParks Rangers Corps, Major General Johan Jooste, said the month had been a busy one with 213 tracks followed or spotted by field rangers, 30 shots heard, five contacts and four sightings.

Congratulating his team, Jooste said it has been a good morale booster for the entire team. "We have also confiscated rifles, ammunition and poaching equipment in all operations. We are hopeful that the measures we are implementing will eventually yield the expected results, of bringing poaching incidents to acceptable levels."

Jooste reminded South Africans that the battle will be won outside the reserves, when the kingpins are brought to book. He urged those with information to make use of the tip-off lines 0800 205 005, 08600 10111 or 32211, to contact Crime Line where they will remain anonymous or their nearest police station with information.