Tourist offered more than they bargained for
Extra business on the side at Orpen Gate?
SKUKUZU – The Orpen Gate in the Kruger National Park (KNP) seems to be taking “entertainment” a few steps further, when they offered “beautiful black ladies” to two local tourists recently.
“Alf” wrote on the SANParks.org forum that he and a friend entered Orpen Gate at about 12:30 on October 30 this year.
Two KNP staff members apparently came over to their car at the first boom gate at Orpen, and enquired whether the two friends were just day visitors or if they were staying overnight.
When they confirmed they were overnight visitors, one of the officials suddenly approached them. “He asked us if we were interested in ‘beautiful black ladies’, and signaled to three black women sitting next to a small building at the gate.”
“Alf” said they were totally shocked and declined politely. The officials just laughed and proceeded to the boom to open it.
“Wow, are they having a business on the side of renting out the ladies at the gate?” “Alf” wanted to know.
Although saying that he had reported the incident, “Alf” had to date not received any response on his report. The Lowvelder approached the spokesman for KNP,
Mr William Mabasa, who confirmed he has seen the remarks on the same forum, but had not received any complaint in this regard.
Mabasa, although confirming that his office did not try to contact “Alf” for more information, said they would investigate the incident.
“In the history of the park, we have never heard of such a thing and we would be happy if the guests in question would be willing to assist in our investigation so we can address this unbecoming behavior at our Orpen Gate.”
He asked that the two visitors avail themselves to identify the said officials.
“Alf” has not responded to this request, but added he would be ashamed if overseas visitors experienced the same upon entering the park and hoped that SANParks would put a swift stop to this practice.
