Earlier today (August 4), Oupa Pilane, special attaché for the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business (KLCBT), issued a statement regarding alleged corruption in the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency’s (MTPA) handling of funds allocated for the maintenance of the Panorama Route.

“Allocated a hefty R500 million to drive tourism marketing and conserve our natural heritage, the agency has squandered R490 million – 98% of its budget – on salaries, leaving a R60 million deficit for the same,” Pilane shared.

He explained that the money collected at park gates and concessions, meant to maintain facilities and protect these iconic reserves, are instead being diverted to plug this financial black hole.

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In July, Pilane invited the MTPA on a tour of the Panorama Route to engage on the dilapidated condition of its tourist attractions. While the MTPA declined the invitation, the tour went ahead as scheduled, with members of the media in attendance. Neglect has resulted in crumbling infrastructure, disconnected electricity, broken water pumps, and a shameful shortage of basics like toilet paper and working toilets.

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The KLCBT urged the MTPA to collaborate with them in creating actionable plans for the better maintenance of these sites. The organisation had initially planned to share these plans within seven days of the media tour, but decided against issuing a joint statement with the MTPA. The delay was caused by further enquiries from the agency regarding the proposed plans.

On the alleged corruption, Pilane said:

“The MTPA’s leadership has the gall to boast about ‘clean audits’, as if that absolves their failures. Accounting for salaries is the easiest part of financial oversight – it’s like applauding a driver for fuelling the car while crashing it into a ditch.”

According to Pilane, Mpumalanga deserves leadership that prioritises its people over bloated bureaucracies, and he is demanding answers for these concerning financial figures.

Lowvelder will share more on this in Thursday’s print edition.