AfriForum offers drone support after Kruger tragedy; demands clear plan to safeguard visitors

AfriForum has offered the practical support of its community safety structures, including the use of its drones, to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), SANParks and relevant law-enforcement authorities following the tragic death of two tourists in the northern part of the Kruger National Park. In a letter addressed to the relevant authorities, the civil rights organisation has made its drone capabilities, community safety networks, information-sharing structures and coordination capacity available in an effort to help secure the Kruger National Park.

This incident has shaken the country and has raised serious questions about safety, surveillance and response capacity in one of South Africa’s most important tourism and heritage sites. AfriForum has extensive experience in community safety and has the capacity to contribute constructively and responsibly in support of the authorities, the victims’ families, visitors to the park and the broader public.  

“The Kruger National Park is not only a national treasure, but also one of the country’s most important tourism assets. The safety of visitors to this park must be treated as a matter of national importance. AfriForum is therefore ready to assist with practical resources within our means if the authorities are willing to cooperate,” says Lambert de Klerk, AfriForum’s Manager for Environmental Affairs.

AfriForum is also calling on DFFE and SANParks to provide a clear plan on how safety standards will be improved across the Kruger National Park, especially in remote areas where monitoring and rapid response may be more difficult. According to AfriForum, this plan should include heightened patrols, improved surveillance capacity, faster emergency response procedures, clearer communication channels for visitors, and improved cooperation between safety role players. AfriForum believes the authorities must act with urgency, transparency and determination to restore public confidence and ensure that visitors to the Kruger National Park are protected.

“Cooperation between government, SANParks, law enforcement and responsible civil-society organisations is necessary to address the safety risks facing national heritage sites. If there are gaps in surveillance, patrol capacity or emergency response, they must be identified and addressed immediately. AfriForum is willing to be part of the solution,” says Jacques Broodryk, AfriForum’s Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety.