Kruger yet again a scoundrel’s haven
At the end of the 19th century, the far northeastern corner of the Kruger National Park used to be a hideout for a myriad of scoundrels, from ivory poachers to gunrunners.
One of Crooks Corner’s most notorious frequenters was the ivory poacher and black birder, Cecil
Barnard. His big dream was to kill the legendary elephant Dhlulamithi, but the day he faced the animal he had a change of heart.
Barnard went on to become a ranger and helped to establish the Kruger National Park as envisioned by the then president, Paul Kruger, to curb the rapid extinction of fauna and flora.
Ironically, crime gave birth to one of South Africa’s top tourist destinations over the past hundred years. Each year, approximately 950 000 people visit the park.
But in the meantime, the southwestern corner of the park became a spot where hijackers and other dangerous criminals lurk behind corners to attack visitors.
The death of Jörg Schnarr at the beginning of October caused an international outcry. America even warned its citizens to avoid the Numbi Gate, where the shooting took place.
In January, Melani de Beer and her two children were shot at near the Numbi Gate. Her daughter had to be hospitalised.
Earlier this year, an anonymous 11-year-old boy was shot in the head near the gate, and there are rumours of various unreported violent incidents in that area.
Two weeks ago, a family was robbed of their belongings right in front of the Malelane Gate, and many other violent incidents at other gates were reported throughout the year.
On Facebook, an international tourist lamented the situation, stating that he and his family would not visit the park anymore, like they have done for the past 20 years.
It seems like crime will also be the cause of death for the Kruger National Park.
This will mean the loss of R6b’s revenue per annum and more than
10 000 jobs, unless all of us, management, business chambers and lovers of the park, stand up and kill crime.