SANParks chief facing sexual assault and assault charges

THE chief executive of South African National Parks (SANParks) has been placed on special leave after allegations of assault and sexual assault were levelled against him.

Fundisile Mketeni will be on leave from all work engagements after complaints were laid against him last Friday at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park.

Dr Luthando Dziba, the managing executive for conservation services at the entity, will be acting in his place.

SANParks board chairperson Joanne Yawitch said: “In line with our commitment to ethical conduct and the seriousness of the allegations, Mketeni has requested to take special leave until such time that this matter has been resolved and the law has taken its course.”

Mketeni and three others appeared in court on Monday, all facing similar charges. Two of his co-accused are also men and employed by SANParks. The fourth is a woman but not a SANParks employee.

“The board of SANParks views the allegations made in an extremely serious light and will allow the court proceedings to take their course and reach conclusions on the allegations.

“The board will, however, investigate whether the circumstances surrounding the allegations led to any improper or illegal conduct that may affect the employment relationship,” Yawitch said. |