Community of Matsulu pleased with physical assessment of Kruger National Park fence
The residents had raised safety concerns due to wild animals roaming in their community and said they are happy to see that something is being done.
Some Matsulu community members say they are glad to see that South African National Parks (SANParks) and the Mpumalanga Parks and Tourism Agency (MTPA) undertook a physical assessment of the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) fence, from Numbi Gate, alongside communities adjacent to the park, on Saturday March 9.
This comes after several reports of elephants venturing into the communities to feed, sparking fears of the wild animals damaging the crops and injuring community members.
These elephants had apparently trampled through a fence out of the KNP and invaded the neighbourhood. The community members said that the fence is destroyed, so the animals keep crossing over to Matsulu’s side, and they asked for an intervention.
After this visit by the conservation teams, some community members said this shows that something is being done to assist them.
According to the KNP’s spokesperson, Ike Phaahla, the team that visited the area to do the assessment comprised of scientists and conservation officials in the form of section rangers and regional rangers.
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“Their observation concluded that there is a need to send technical teams to the area to finalise the scope of work and have a constructor on site from April. The construction of the fence is expected to take at least eight months. The initiation of this project is consistent with SANParks’ overall approach of building and solidifying relations with communities adjacent to national parks. Discussions with communities and key stakeholders are in the pipeline to co-develop the building programme and construction. Engagements with communities and stakeholders are also intended to facilitate dialogue and guidance, as well as buy-in to safeguard the fence from being vandalised,” he explained.
Jacob Siboza, the chairperson of the Matsulu and Ehlanzeni District CPF, said they were happy to see that something is being done.
“A meeting was held with the community, stakeholders, the KNP and the MTPA to share the new developments. We managed to reach an agreement that a stronger fence is needed and it was suggested that maybe a wall could be the solution as it will keep both the people and animals safe. As South Africans we need to remember that animals are important and we should preserve them.”
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Siboza added that the community members must support the team that will be awarded the project to restore the fence.
“Some community members like forcing contractors to give them jobs, even when they do not qualify, and this creates unnecessary problems. The residents must accept that some will be given opportunities and some won’t. Interruptions affect the work and cause delays,” he said.
