News

SANParks Acting Head of Communications, Reynold Thakhuli said, Mr. Michael Sematla, employed as a general worker in the park, was released on a R2 500 bail and will re-appear in court on Friday, 7 March 2014. “He will be given an opportunity internally to make representation to SANParks on the charges against him, following that a decision will be taken on how to proceed with the matter on SANParks level.”

He said Mr. Sematla has been implicated on a number of illegal commercial hunting activities on state land involving a number of hunting professionals and game meat operators in the farm Den Staat – a state owned property which has an open system with Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site as no fence exists between the two properties.

According to Thakhuli, the suspect will face a number of charges which includes using SANParks e-mail communication to interest his customers… “which made this unsanctioned action appear to be as approved by SANParks.”

Issued By

South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Communications
Tel: 012 426 5203

For media enquiries:
Reynold Thakhuli
Acting Head of Communications, SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5203; Cell: 073 373 4999
Email: [email protected]

Divhani Maremba
Regional Communications Manager (Mapungubwe, Marakele & Golden Gate Highlands National Parks)
Tel: 012 426 5304; Cell: 082 941 9980
Email: [email protected]