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On Wednesday 30th I travelled from Orpen to Nwanedsi taking the S100. While having a leisurely breakfast at the picnic site a police car arrived and 2 armed policewomen walked around the picnic area and spoke to the man who runs the site.
My friend and I wondered what this was all about as it just didn't look or feel right.
We finished our breakfast and headed back on the H6 to Satara where we saw a few more police vehicles.
From Satara back to Orpen we started getting very suspicious as there must have been around 20 SAP vehicles coming in from Orpen.
When we got back to camp we asked at the office what was going on and were told that it was a routine check and that the SAP do this over long weekends looking for stolen vehicles or poachers.
Did anyone else see this or have any more info?

Didn't someone mention a holdup at one of the gates recently?

Here it is:

If you were at Phabeni Gate yesterday just before opening time you might have witnessed the armed robbery

It was in the sightings at entrance gates thread.

That is a large number of SAP vehicles. As for as I know they do keep a permanenet staff in Kruger , but not that many.
We did the 4x4 trail a few years ago and came across a semi-permanent tented SAP camp way up in the Lebombo mountains and our guide informed us it was a poacher tracker unit
But I have never seen so many vehicles at one time

The police force have asked recently to be replaced again with the national defense force on the border patrols as they don't have enough resources to conduct the patrols efficiently any longer.

As far as I know there are two police stations in Kruger. The Pafuri border post station and the main one in Skukuza.

Hi Forum Folks

Thanks for starting this forum, it gives me an "excuse" to tell you the real reason for this extra police presence.
Due to increasing levels of crime in South Africa and the fact that these crime incidents have indeed spilled over to us, we as the Kruger National Park recently approached the South African Police Service (SAPS) to back us up in general crime prevention in the park.
This is also part of our overall strategy to stop rule breakers and to try and prevent the crime incidents that have happened in the park in the past (eg the armed robberies at the gates etc).
Regular visitors to the park will also notice SAPS members backing up our own Protection Service people at our gates and (sometimes) at road blocks throughout the park.
If you abide by the rules and regulations of the park and do not have anything to hide, then proceed through these measures without fear, remembering that they are just trying to do their job of ensuring a safer park for YOU.
However, if you are a rule breaker or you are driving in a stolen vehicle, or you don't have a valid drivers licence or your car is NOT in a roadworthy condition, then be very afraid!
I hope that explains.

Kind regards
KNP Spokesman

KNP Spokesman, you need to add:

Or if your children is driving while sitting on your lap......

And I know the jeep jockeys were spooked by the block at Skukuza late April - I heard them on the radio at the parking area in Skukuza!!!!!

Thanks EcoJunkie, for your most interesting report. We'll certainly take note.

Kind regards
KNP Spokesman

And one will have been very upset - I reported him for being out of his vehicle at Mpondo Dam!!!! (from that lodge north of Afsaal....)

Thanks KNPS
As a law abiding citizen I have nothing to fear. But I hope those criminals get the message and stay away from our beautiful Sanparks!
Ps What is the rule regarding learner drivers, with legitimate learners ,licences driving in the park (of couse accompanied by a qualified driver) I am asking as my son has just got his learners and is hoping to do some driving on the quiter roads in Kruger

Hi Pjw

Its the same as any other road in South Africa. A learner driver has to be accompanied by a licenced driver (and both have to have their licences with them)!

Kind regards
KNP Spokesman

I think its exelent!!! I have nothing to fear and is truly glad that these forces is in KNP. All these people in KNP that break the rules make me mad and should be stopped and put out of KNP.the park dont need their money!!

but its a little bit sad that a place so sacret to me and spesial falls to be a victim of crime and disbehavior!

But well done to the park!!

Ditto from me

Thank you KNPS for the info!