The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment says there has been no name change for the Kruger National Park.
The department was responding to recent reports that about a proposed change to the name. It added that those spreading misinformation are urged to refrain from doing so immediately.
It was reported recently that a motion was tabled on September 23 by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature in which the party proposed that Kruger National Park be renamed to Skukuza National Park and the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport be named the late former deputy president David “DD” Mabuza.
The legislature had passed the motion. However the department said in a statement on Thursday that no name change has been authorised for the Kruger National Park.
The department explained that a name change would require an amendment to be gazetted under Section 20 of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003.
It said no notice has been published in the Government Gazette to alter the name, and no such change has been approved by the minister.
“There is nothing in progress to change the name of the Kruger National Park and I certainly have no intention of approving any request,” said Minister Dr Dion George.
In terms of the Act, only the minister has the legal authority to assign or amend the name of a national park. Schedule 2 of the Act lists all national parks and their official names, and Kruger National Park appears under Item 11.
The department added that any proposed name change must follow a formal legislative process, including public consultation and publication of a notice in the Government Gazette. No such process has been initiated.
“The department calls on all individuals and entities to refrain from promoting or repeating unverified claims about name changes. Spreading misinformation undermines public confidence and distracts from the real work of conservation.
“Members of the public are encouraged to rely solely on official government communications for accurate information.”
THE MERCURY
