SANParks defends itself against claims of poor management

SA NATIONAL Parks (SANParks) has hit back at a recent Change.org petition issued by a group of stakeholders opposed to the current management of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).

- THEOLIN TEMBO

The petition demands accountability, calling for action to restore and protect Table Mountain, and has garnered more than 5800 signatures.

Driven by Friends of Table Mountain and supported by Take Back Our Mountains, Love Our Trails, Table Mountain Watch, Table Mountain Bikers and Hikers Network, the campaign claims that TMNP suffers from critical issues directly linked to SANParks's poor management and underfunding.

They are also concerned by the persistently high crime rates, failure of their conservation mandate, decaying infrastructure, insufficient signage, runaway fires, and the decay of tourism infrastructure.