The News has been inundated with queries about the Krugersdorp Game Reserve … ‘do they still exist?’ or ‘are they still operational?’ and ‘are there any animals?’

The News approached the Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) to pose these questions to them, to which Andy Nesengani, Assistant Manager at the Krugersdorp Game Reserve responded.

On the question about why the game reserve is closed, Nesengani explained that at the start of Covid-19 the Gauteng Provincial Government earmarked the reserve as an overflow quarantine facility. This was done in anticipation of Covid-19 cases on the West Rand increasing.

The provincial government refurbished the facility to meet the required standards. Fortunately, Covid-19 cases on the West Rand did not reach the anticipated levels. Primary healthcare facilities were coping, thus the nature reserve was not utilised,” Nesengani said.

The provincial government must hand the refurbished facility back to MCLM once they have deemed it safe, for instance if there is no more need to use the facility as an overflow site.

“It should also be noted that prior to Covid-19, the facility was not fully operational in offering its tourism and related hospitality services. The municipality had commenced the process of doing a feasibility study with the objective of guiding the long-term sustainability and an appropriate business model for the nature reserve.”

Nesengani said there are animals at the reserve, and the MCLM Biodiversity Management Division is responsible for the animals. This division ensures that the animals are managed in line with all the relevant legislation and in an environmentally friendly manner.

“Furthermore, the division’ job to manage the game is also guided by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.”

When asked when the reserve is expected to open again, Nesengani said the feasibility studies were at an advanced stage and were initiated to ensure the long-term sustainability of the nature reserve.

The nature reserve will reopen once studies are concluded, recommendations assessed, a responsive plan of action devised by the municipality, and provincial government handed back the facility to the municipality.”