Punda Maria Gate Protests

[Toko]

Breaking news: Northern Kruger gate closed due to strikeToday's News
26 Mon, Jan 2015

The Punda Maria gate in the north of the Kruger National Park has been closed due to strikes happening in the nearby town of Malamulele.

William Mabasa, GM: Communications & Marketing at SANParks said the road leading to the gate has been shut down due to the strike and therefore the park took the decision to close the gate.

Mabasa warned that it would be very dangerous if people tried to access the park via the Punda Maria gate and they are advised to take an alternate route.

It is not yet known when the gate is expected to reopen.

Today's News Caro Malherbe

[Flutterby]

So it's still closed?! (I reported this in the "Travelling to Kruger" thread on Friday).

[Richprins]

Ja, been closed for a while, but an update!


As with Numbi and Kruger gates in the past, the communities are perfectly aware of the impetus they can gain by closing a gate, and getting attention.


Foreign viewers may wonder why this continues to happen?

Well, one must get political in the explanation, unfortunately...


Kruger is surrounded by impoverished communities, many members of whom rely on wild .gov promises of free electricity, housing and other infrastructure made before every election, be it local or national.

This is not a strange situation, internationally, but the solution here is always strange. Rather than change their votes, the populace resort to violence to get these wild promises.

enough said, one can google the various versions of African Democracy, a sick business indeed!

[Toko]

http://m.news24.com/news24/Green/News/K ... a-20150128

olokwane - Violent protests in Malamulele, Limpopo, have prompted the Kruger National Park to close its Punda Maria gate, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

"We are advising tourists to use other gates because of protests in Malamulele affecting Punda Maria gate," William Mabasa said.

Tourists wishing to visit the park could use the Pafuri or Phalaborwa gates, he said.

The tourism industry on the outskirts of Malamulele has been suffering since violent protests erupted there. Last year protesters set fire to shops and looted, causing millions of rands in damage.

Local residents have blockaded the road to Malamulele and subsequently a route leading to Kruger National Park. No business or schooling has been taking place in Malamulele as residents demand they be given a separate municipality.

They accuse the Thulamela local municipality of directing services to Tshivenda speaking settlements and neglecting Xitsonga ones.

Residents are expected to know by Friday whether their bid to have their own municipality has been approved.

Malamulele police have confirmed that the disturbances are ongoing and that the KNP gate will remain closed till Friday.

SAPA

[Richprins]

Guests of Kruger National Park are informed that Punda Maria Gate is inaccessible due to service delivery protests taking place at a village outside the gate (about 8km away) on the R524, today, 4 June 2018, and is blocked at the moment.

Guests are advised to use alternative gates such as Pafuri and Phalaborwa to enter or exit the Park until further notice. The situation is being monitored closely.

Enquiries:
William Mabasa
GM: Communications and Marketing, SANParks
Tel: 013 735 4363; Cell: 082 807 3919
Email: william.mabasa@sanparks.org

Isaac Phaahla
Media Specialist, SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5315, Cell 083 673 6974
Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

[Richprins]

Kruger National Park
@SANParksKNP
Warning sign
Alert
Warning sign


Phunda Maria gate is inaccessible due to protest actions by the Matiyani Village People. Please use alternative gates and routes to enter Kruger National Parks. SAPS and TRT are on site to monitor the situation. Updates will be posted as received.
5:52 AM · Nov 4, 2020

[Lisbeth]

It would be great if they told us, why people are protesting

[Alf]

One guy walked down the road and decided to throw a stone.....

Another saw him doing that and thought aaah he is protesting let’s join him....

[Lisbeth]

That would explain a lot of protests

[Richprins]

Kruger National Park
@SANParksKNP
·
4h
Update



Please be advised that Phunda Maria gate is open and operating normally. SAPS are present and monitoring the situation. Guests can now proceed to use the gate to enter Kruger National Park.