The Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park, Abe Sibiya, has warned members of the public, business community and staff members to be on the lookout for people who falsely and publicly claim to represent the KNP on various aspects of its business.

“It has come to our attention that there are online forums operating and claiming to represent the South African National Parks (SANParks), in particular the KNP, by offering customer care facilities that discuss conservation and tourism-related matters for guests. We would like to put it on record that SANParks already has its own established formal procedures and channels for handling guest feedback and does not need a third party to deal with issues on its behalf,” he said.

These people cite, in their online forums that their customer care facility is meant to assist with reporting of incidents or complaints concerning the national parks – thus complementing the organisation’s existing channels.

The operators also falsely claim that they raise funds for various conservation causes which they hand over to SANParks Honorary Rangers.

“SANParks has a healthy relationship and a direct contact with the Honorary Rangers which again would not need any third party; and therefore would like to advise members of the public to resist any illegal fund raising approaches made in SANParks’ name as we believe this action constitutes fraud.”

He further warned everybody to check the credentials of the person/s who claim to represent SANParks or the KNP before contributing anything of monetary value to them.

“Our employees are aware that only authorised and designated staff members can represent or speak on behalf of SANParks on any particular matter, however we cannot prevent them or any member of the public from joining these online forums in their individual capacity,” he concluded.

To submit feedback on SANParks, customers should use the official online web addresses as follows:

•    Complaints, compliments and queries: http://www.sanparks.org/about/contact/
•    Website queries:  http://www.sanparks.org/webmaster/contactform.php  
•    If one would like to join and take part in the SANParks.org Forum, the link is: http://www.sanparks.org/forums/index.php?style=2