Access to Mpumalanga’s nature reserves temporarily closed due to labour dispute
The MTPA said it would notify patrons when the dispute, which resulted in the closure of some tourism sites and reserves, is resolved.
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) notified all its tourism patrons and stakeholders that its staff members are currently picketing at all its offices and nature reserves throughout the province.
This will affect operations at all the MTPA’s offices as well as its nature reserves.
In a statement released earlier today, November 9, the agency said its management is currently in discussions with the leadership of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union to resolve the dispute over the salary increments for the 2022/23 financial year.
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“We would like to apologise to our patrons and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by this. We are confident that this matter will be resolved amicably in due course, and our offices and nature reserves will then be open for the public,” said Mduduzi Vilakazi, the acting CEO of the MTPA.
Both parties will continue to engage to reach a consensus and further ensure that operations are urgently resumed at all offices and nature reserves.
“We will continue to provide updates on developments, as the reopening of our nature reserves is our priority, as it will afford tourists an opportunity to continue with their planned trips to explore our various tourism attractions in the province. In the meantime, we would like to encourage visitors coming to Mpumalanga to enjoy their stay and explore other areas on offer in the province,” Vilakazi concluded.
