An illegal guide operating in the Kruger National Park was being investigated by the Skukuza police, said Dean Cherry, Managing Director of Nhongo Safaris.
The guide, who cannot be named due to an ongoing investigation, has been operating in the Kruger National Park for the past four years.
Cherry said the individual was not listed on the database of registered guides in Mpumalanga. “Every four or five clients that this person takes on tours, he takes away from possibly myself or other credible companies,” said Cherry.
The matter was reported to Musa Mahlangu, Senior Manager: Tourism Registration, in October 2015. Mahlangu is believed to have issued the guide with an affidavit of undertaking encouraging him to refrain from his illegal activities. Cherry believes the letter was received by the ‘guide’.
However, if such a complaint discloses an offence, the Provincial Registrar can lay a charge with the South African Police Service. Cherry felt that Mahlangu’s undertaking was insufficient and reported the matter to the Nelspruit police station, which then handed it to the Skukuza police station, as that was where the alleged crime occurred.
Cherry said the guide has since been charged with:
- acting as a tourist guide for reward, monetary or otherwise, not registered as a guide or registration as a guide has been suspended or withdrawn;
- continuing to act as a tourist guide for reward, monetary or otherwise, while subject to a disqualification; and
- continuing to employ unregistered person or persons whose registration has been suspended or withdrawn as a tourist guide.
Cherry added that the Tourism Act for an illegal tourist guide was so cumbersome that prosecution would take almost a year as there was a 21-day grace period between every step. He said the Act needed to be streamlined to make it easier to prosecute illegal tourist guides.
