Kruger fines stack up high
Kruger National Park (KNP) traffic officials have issued more fines to rowdy tourists this year so far as the total number of fines handed out for the whole of 2012, according to authorities.
“Since the beginning of this year we have issued 3339 fines, while last year we issued a total of 3157 fines,” said KNP Spokesperson Stephens Ledwaba.
Ledwaba said that the fines were given for speeding, traffic offences and contraventions of the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (NEMA).
“The high number this year can be attributed to the additional traffic officers added to our team. We have speeding cameras for every traffic officer. These cameras are mobile, and not stationed at one place,” he explained.
According to KNP Chief Traffic Officer Johan Nel, the majority of offenders were South African residents, but 35 percent of rule-breakers were foreigners.
“We try and make sure these people pay before leaving the park, as when they leave the country, there is no way we can trace them,” Nel said.
Speeding was the main concern for traffic officials, with 80% of fines issued to motorists breaking the park’s 50km/h speed limit.
“Speeding is a danger for animals as they get killed in the process and it also put peoples’ lives at risk. Motorists who are speeding chase the animals off the road and often spoil great sightings for animal lovers,” Ledwaba pointed out.
Fines for speeding reportedly vary from R100 to R1500.
On May 8 last year, a speeding driver was fined R2 500 after he drove his car into a herd of impala, killing seven of the animals. A further fine of R21 000 was imposed on the man’s employers.
Ledwaba said that traffic officers patrolled the KNP on a day-to-day basis to ensure that motorists comply with rules and regulations of the park.
“In addition to that we have notice boards at the gates where the information is clearly visible and have recently installed TV screens at the gates and receptions where people are being informed about rules of the park,” Ledwaba added.
The number of fines issued is expected to increase dramatically over December and January as thousands of tourists descend on the park.
KNP figures showed that 811 fines were issued in the 2012/2013 festive season. – The Write News Agency