Engagement Notes: Minister David Maynier met CEO of SANParks, Fundisile Mketeni | Western Cape Government

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Engagement Notes: Minister David Maynier met CEO of SANParks, Fundisile Mketeni

3 October 2019

On Monday, 30 September, Provincial Minister for Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, together with representatives from the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, met with the CEO of SANParks, Fundisile Mketeni and his colleagues, to discuss the safety of visitors to Table Mountain National Park.

Minister Maynier indicated to Mr Mketeni, that the Western Cape Government was committed to working closely with SANParks to ensure that the South African National Parks in the Western Cape, including Table Mountain National Park, were safe to visit.

Mr Mketeni, and representatives from SANParks, shared with Minister Maynier the steps that they have taken to address issues of safety, highlighting that one of the biggest challenges is the fact that there are so many access points into Table Mountain National Park. This makes it difficult to monitor who is entering the park, and as such most of the crime incidents have taken place in open access areas.

SANParks representatives informed Minister Maynier of the strategic areas they were focusing on to address safety in Table Mountain National Park. These include:

  • An ongoing operational review
  • The establishment of a Joint Operational Committee (JOC)
  • A review of ranger capabilities as a response to increased levels of crime
  • The introduction of Tourism Monitors
  • A multi-stakeholder approach and ongoing relationship building
  • The use of CCTV cameras to monitor access points

Minister Maynier concluded the meeting by acknowledging the good work that SANParks are doing to address the safety of visitors to Table Mountain National Park.

Minister Maynier asked SANParks to complete a review of existing resources and capacities required by SANParks to ensure readiness for tourism season, together with an assessment of what the Western Cape Government can do to assist in this regard. SANParks agreed to provide this report within the next two weeks.

Both Minister Maynier and Mr Mketeni agreed to ongoing engagements to ensure readiness for tourism season.

Media Enquiries: 

Francine Higham
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Opportunities
(Responsible for Provincial Treasury and Departments of Economic Development and Tourism)
Tel: 021 483 4327
Cell: 071 087 5150
Email: francine.higham@westerncape.gov.za