Taxi Busted for Various Offences By Tourist in KNP

[Sprocky]

Damn, I forgot to mention how they got in. Ei

They stopped at the gate and said that they are going to see someone (I won't mention the name) in the staff village, easy as that. This detail was recorded in the register at the gate. But instead of going to the village they headed straight to Sable.

The person that they were supposed to be visiting was not even at the village but he is also in for a fine and/or hearing.

If I don't hear from them by lunch time tomorrow I will make a turn at the gate to hear what's going on.

[Flutterby]

So it's that easy to get into the park??? That's absolutely unacceptable in my mind!!!

[iNdlovu]

We have been saying for a long time that any poacher or illegal person can gain access to the park by using the staff villages. The people who call themselves custodians of our parks have absolutely no control of what is going on at the gates, in the park and especially in the staff villages. Here is proof that they are inept, incompetent and actually don't care or something would have been done a long time ago.
So much for keeping poachers out of the park

[Richprins]

Well done, Sprocky and the General!

I hear the SanParks staff were very thankful for what you guys did!

[Mel]

Excellent job, Sprocky. Hats off!

[Penga Ndlovu]

Very well done bud.



Now here is the part that is very shady to me.

First of all:

- How did they get hold of that entrypermit at all?

Second:

- Did they show it to the gate guard and if so why was it not seen that the permit was altered?

Thirdly:

- So if you drive a crappy looking minibus you are allowed into the park just by saying you are going to visit a staff member?

This is so extremely &^$#@#-up that is unbelievable.



Agreed. Get this out to the newspapers asap!!

[iNdlovu]

I'd love to know what the official rules are for staff visitors. Is this method of getting into the park official, that all you have to do is have a note made in the register and bang, the park is open to you for free, no questions asked?

[lowveldboy]

I'd love to know what the official rules are for staff visitors. Is this method of getting into the park official, that all you have to do is have a note made in the register and bang, the park is open to you for free, no questions asked?

Indy, as far as my knowledge goes (used to work like this, when I visited friends). The person you want to visit needs to phone the exact gate you will be entering with all the details - registration number, number of occupants, reason for visit, date of arrival, approximate time of arrival and departure date. The gate manager then issues a permit with this info on, which needed to be available at the request of officials immediatly. The section ranger had/have the authority to deny any visitors on certain ground(too many, misuse etc). Picking up the permit at the gate usually took longer, as you 1st needed to confirm via ID you were in fact the person and the gate then had to phone the person and inform them you are on your way. The permit was not transferable between gates. You needed to make sure you gave all the correct info.

I do not know if it still works like that, I am talking about 10-12 years ago. Whether this was adhered to by all is also open to debate, I just know from the friends I went to visit.

[Lisbeth]

That sounds reasonable enough LWB, but obviously the rules are not followed as in many other cases

[Richprins]

The person you want to visit needs to phone the exact gate you will be entering with all the details - registration number, number of occupants, reason for visit, date of arrival, approximate time of arrival and departure date. The gate manager then issues a permit with this info on, which needed to be available at the request of officials immediatly. The section ranger had/have the authority to deny any visitors on certain ground(too many, misuse etc). Picking up the permit at the gate usually took longer, as you 1st needed to confirm via ID you were in fact the person and the gate then had to phone the person and inform them you are on your way. The permit was not transferable between gates. You needed to make sure you gave all the correct info.

I do not know if it still works like that, I am talking about 10-12 years ago. Whether this was adhered to by all is also open to debate, I just know from the friends I went to visit.

Still worked like that 2 years ago, LVB!