Tsitsikamma: Park gatekeepers suspects in fraud

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Toko
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Tsitsikamma: Park gatekeepers suspects in fraud

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Park gatekeepers suspects in fraud

20 May 2013
John Harvey

ALLEGATIONS that four gate guards at the Tsitsikamma National Park have pocketed "a substantial amount" of the park's takings are being investigated by SANParks.

More than R1-million was allegedly stolen in the scam, triggered by some guards being seen driving around in luxury four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Sources close to the park say the guards – three men and a woman – had already been fired. However, SANParks media events and stakeholder relations manager Reynold Thakhuli would only confirm investigations were under way.

"We can confirm that there have been some transactions that could not be accounted for.

"The matter is sub judice as internal processes are under way.

"As soon as more information is available, we will make a statement," Thakhuli said.

But, according to sources close to the park, the money allegedly stolen in the last year could total more than R1-million.

Four people allegedly kept the money paid by every third or fourth visitor, one source said.

"Amounts vary but it is a substantial amount and we have even heard a figure of R1.3-million talked about," one source said.

"Incredibly, they were allegedly keeping their own receipt book and were eventually caught out when someone discovered it lying around." According to tariffs, entrance to the Tsitsikamma National Park is R34 an adult and R17 a child for South African citizens, and R68 an adult and R34 a child for Southern African Development Community nationals. Overseas visitors pay a standard conservation fee of R120 an adult and R60 a child per day.

The sources said they had found it strange seeing the gatekeepers driving around in Land Rover Freelanders. These cost more than R430000 each.


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Richprins
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Re: Park gatekeepers suspects in fraud

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These guys always buy a luxury vehicle and DSTV first...same happens in Kruger and Mozambique... O**


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Re: Park gatekeepers suspects in fraud

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"We can confirm that there have been some transactions that could not be accounted for.

"The matter is sub judice as internal processes are under way.

"As soon as more information is available, we will make a statement," Thakhuli said.


Actually, Rey, the matter cannot be 'sub judice' unless arrests have been made and charges brought. 0-

SP is not SAPS/Dept. of Justice, however entitled their top managers may feel! :-)

That's why some higher-ups arrested some people for an aeroplane landing in a naughty place somewhere...then it became "sub judice"...you have some tricks to learn! ^0^


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Re: Park gatekeepers suspects in fraud

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:-? If you know about someone steeling, are you not obliged to report it to the police? If not, you are an accomplice, if I don't error -O-

They are not only thiefs, they are also stupid 0*\


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Re: Park gatekeepers suspects in fraud

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Lisbeth wrote::-? If you know about someone steeling, are you not obliged to report it to the police? If not, you are an accomplice, if I don't error -O-
Entirely correct, Lis! \O

But in our country "internal investigation", followed by "promises of full disclosure" is the way to go, hoping the problem goes away... O**


Let's see what they come up with... 0()


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Re: Park gatekeepers suspects in fraud

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I presume they are all suspended,...with full pay! O**


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Re: Park gatekeepers suspects in fraud

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Richprins wrote:But in our country "internal investigation", followed by "promises of full disclosure" is the way to go, hoping the problem goes away... O**
=O: =O: True X#X and some are becoming masters at it O/


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Re: Park gatekeepers suspects in fraud

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:-)


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Re: Park gatekeepers suspects in fraud

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SANparks guards probed for theft

May 23 2013 at 11:02am
John Harvey

Garden Route Media

KNYSNA: Allegations that four gate guards at the Tsitsikamma National Park have pocketed “a substantial amount” of the park’s takings are being investigated by SANParks.

Sources said for several months they had found it strange seeing the gatekeepers driving around in Land Rover Freelanders in their personal capacity. “That is quite an expensive vehicle to own on the salary of a gate guard,” a park source said.

Reynold Thakhuli, SANParks general manager: media events and stakeholder relations, said:

“We can confirm some transactions that could not be accounted for. The matter is sub judice as internal processes are under way. As soon as more information is available we will make a statement.”

According to sources close to the park the money unaccounted for in the past year could total up to R1 million.

“These four – three men and a woman – had kept the money paid by every third or fourth visitor. Amounts vary but it is a substantial amount and we have even heard a figure of R1.3m talked about,” one source alleged. “Incredibly they were keeping their own receipt book and were eventually caught when someone discovered it lying around.”

However, Garden Route National Park manager spokesman Nandi Mgwadlamba said the figures mentioned by the sources were incorrect, although the correct amounts could not be disclosed.

According to SANParks tarriffs for 2012/2013, entrance to the Tsitsikamma National Park is R34 an adult and R17 a child for South African citizens, and R68 an adult and R34 a child for Southern African Development Community nationals with a passport.

There is a standard conservation fee of R120 an adult and R60 a child per day.

In the Garden Route National Park, of which the Tsitsikamma National Park forms a part, the total number of visitors to forestry facilities amounted to 12 860 paying visitors and 2 230 non-paying.

Forestry attractions include the tree top, tubing, woodcutters, horse riding, guided hikes and the woodpeckers trail.

Thus far in 2013, 139 768 guests have visited the Storms River camp. About 50 929 were overnight visitors. An additional 4 051 were visitors to the National Park, and 288 were day visitors. The Big Tree lured 48 742 visitors.


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Re: Park gatekeepers suspects in fraud

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However, Garden Route National Park manager spokesman Nandi Mgwadlamba said the figures mentioned by the sources were incorrect, although the correct amounts could not be disclosed.

So what? 0-


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