DEAR Editor,-
Just some additional information to ‘Concerned’s’ informative and interesting letter in last week’s SCH entitled, ‘Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife anti-poaching unit shocker’.
We visited Mpila and Hilltop Camps in Umfolozi/Hluhluwe in May this year and the accommodation and both parks was generally in a rundown and neglected state, particularly the appalling roads. We sent a complaint to KZN Wildlife and both resort managers and did receive replies.
In the letter to KZN Wildlife, we pointed out that they had received funding of 15.4-million euros (information available on their website) from the Dutch and Swedish Lotteries Grant ‘to combat wildlife crime’ in May 2014 and this, we said, should have freed up a large chunk of their own funds to spend on road and other maintenance, which had clearly not happened.
Wonder where the 15.4-million euros has gone? Probably not even a portion went to the rhino anti-poaching unit, which, according to ‘Concerned’, is ‘dysfunctional and falling apart’. Perhaps there’s another clarion call for ‘Pay back the money’?
CHLOE DUTTON
Umtentweni
