Fines for misbehaving in the KNP have been increased sharply by an average of 250 percent compared to the fines that were approved in 2004 in an attempt to keep rule-breakers in line with the Park's rules and regulations.
Over Easter, KNP Protection Services personnel, together with South African Police Service (SAPS) members set up vehicle stop and search points and conducting other "visible policing" tactics in an at- tempt to eradicate all forms of criminal activity in the KNP during this period.
"We would like to believe that most of our visitors do abide by the rules and regulations, however there are those road users who do choose to misbehave. Our warning is that if our protection services staff or rangers catch you, they could issue you with a fine of considerable proportions," said the KNP's acting managing executive Abe Sibiya.
The Admission of Guilt fine list has been totally reworked from the previous one that was used. Various regulations have been either reworded or brought in line with the provisions of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, Act 57 of 2003.
Aimed to tie in with the national "Arrive Alive" campaign, the anti crime operation started on February 28, 2009 until the end of April. The aim was to ensure a safe environment for visitors to the KNP with particular emphasis on the southern half of the KNP, below the Olifants River, which experiences more tourism during peak periods.
However, there will also be operations in the northern half of the KNP which will extend as far as the Shingwedzi/Punda Maria area. Cross border smuggling, illegal entry into South Africa and the monitoring of taxi movements to ensure that they have the necessary permits have been the particular em- phasis of the operation north of the Olifants River. KNP traffic officials have also been on duty during that time and concentrated on speeding and other traffic related offences.
"We ask visitors who witness any contravention of the KNP rules and regulations or who witness any suspicious activity that they should report the offender to the KNP's Emergency Call Centre on 013 735 4325 and the closest law enforcer will be alerted to the scene," concluded Sibiya.Sibiya also thanked those visitors who had reported misdemeanours to the Emergency Call Centre in the past, saying that many motorists had been fined as a result of reports from visitors. However, Sibiya cautioned that members of the public who report criminal activity "after the fact" should be prepared to testify in Court.
The rules and regulations for the KNP are applicable to everyone, in- cluding visitors, contractors and staff members; although staff members do have certain restricted concessions (eg staff members may drive up to 65 km/h on tar roads).
- Pay uP Fines for disobeying the rules and regulations in the Kruger National Park (KNP) are issued according to various regulations of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, Act 57 of 2003.
- Feeding of animals previous fine: R400 new fine: R500
- Removal of wood, sand, gravel, stone or other material previous fine: New regulation new fine: R1000
- Entering or leaving the park at any place other than through an official point or entry and exit without the written permission of the management authority previous fine: R500 new fine: R1 500
- Staying overnight without paying the applicable fees previous fine: R700 new fine: R1 500
- Drive or operate any vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner or in a deliberate or intentional disregard for the safety of any person, species, specimen or property of whatever nature previous fine: New regulation reworded from various "reckless driving" offences new fine: Court
- Use or cause to be used, any loud speaker or similar device or other noisy equipment previous fine: R400 new fine: R1 500
- Driving a vehicle off road or off designated roads or tracks previous fine: R500 new fine: R1 500
- Deposit or leave any litter except in receptacle for that purpose previous fine: R400 new fine: R1 500
- Light or cause any fire to be started or make use of an open fire, other than in a fireplace or container for this purpose previous fine: R1 000 new fine: R1 500 or if serious, Court
- Play any radio, compact disc player, music system, musical instrument or in any way cause any noise in any manner likely to disturb any species or specimen or other person previous fine: R400 new fine: R1 500
- Convey or be in possession of any firearm, or dangerous weapon, or any explosive, trap or poison previous fine: No change new fine: Court
- Hunt, catch, capture or kill any specimen of a listed threatened or protected species previous fine: No change new fine: Court
- Bringing a dog, cat or pet into a National Park previous fine: R300 new fine: R1 000
- Hinder trouble, intimidate or obstruct an authorised official in the execution of his or her duties, or the performance of his or her functions previous fine: R750 new fine: Court
- Violates, refuses to obey or comply with any prohibition request or instruction by alighting from a motor vehicle or protruding from an open window door or roof previous fine: R500 new fine: R1 500
- Failure to obey or comply with prohibition, request or instruction by management authority, by travelling outside normal gate opening/closing times fine: No change. Fines vary from R500 to R1 000, depending on how late the motorist arrives at the gate
- Exceeding the speed limit on gravel roads fine: Fines are issued according to both the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, Act 57 or 2003 and various regulations according the National Road Traffic Regulations. Fines vary from R100 to R1 500 depending on speed recorded. If speed exceeds 84 km/h, the driver could land up in Court
Exceeding the speed limit on tar roads fines: Fines are issued according to both the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, Act 57 or 2003 and various regulations according the National Road Traffic Regulations. Fines vary from R100 to R1 500 depending on speed recorded. If speed exceeds 94 km/h, the driver could land up in Court Fines are revised on an annual basis and are proposed by the KNP Managing Executive and approved by the White River Magistrate.
