Fines for breaking the rules of the Kruger National Park (KNP) have
increased by 250 percent for this Easter season.
Manager Abe Sibiya said on Friday that KNP protection services
personnel and SA Police Service (SAPS) members will set up stop and
search points and conduct visible policing.
"Fines for misbehaving in the KNP have also been increased sharply
by an average of 250 percent compared to the fines that were approved
in 2004," Sibiya said in a statement.
Revised fines include about R500 for feeding animals, about R1000
for removal of any material, and from R700 to R1500 for staying
overnight without paying the applicable fees.
All other fines range from R500 to R1500.
Monitoring will focus on the southern half of the KNP, below the
Olifants River, where more tourists visit.
Sibiya said stop and search operations will be held on all the major
roads in the KNP and law enforcement officers will check for stolen
vehicles, unlicensed firearms, entrance permits and drivers' licences.
"Cross border smuggling, illegal entry into South Africa and the
monitoring of taxi movements to ensure that they have the necessary
permits will be the particular emphasis of the operation north of the
Olifants River," he said.
The anti-crime operation will end on April 19.