News

South African National Parks (SANParks) is in the process of seeking a court interdict to prevent protest action to continue at Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) outside Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

According to SANParks spokesperson in AENP Fayroush Ludick, the protest comes as a result of a dismissal of Cattle Baron Grill & Bistro restaurant employees following a dispute with their employer – a private concession contracted to SANParks.

Ludick says the affected employees have been protesting outside the park on Monday and Wednesday resulting in unnecessary disruption to visitors entering the park, despite the fact that SANParks is not party to the dispute. “Two entrances into the park were blocked by the protesters, therefore park management had to seek assistance from the South African Police Service public order police unit to monitor the protestors activities.

She said, SANParks and its visitors cannot be used as collateral damage in a dispute between third parties. “It is for this reason that we are in a process of obtaining a court interdict preventing the protest on SANParks property as well as ensuring the safety of visitors to the park as SANParks is expecting a large number of holiday makers into the park during the Easter break,” concluded Ludick.

Issued By

SANParks Corporate Communications
Tel 012 426 5170

Media Enquiries:
Fayroush Ludick
SANParks: Regional Communications Manager
Tel: 012 426 5371; Cell: 082 888 0201
Email: [email protected]

Reynold “ReyT” Thakhuli
GM: Media, PR & Stakeholder Relations, SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5203; Cell: 073 373 4999
Email: [email protected]