Phalaborwa Gate to Kruger National Park reopens

The Kruger National Park (KNP) announced today that visitors to the park can once again use the Phalaborwa Gate.

Spokesman for the park, Mr William Mabasa says police have confirmed that the protests in Phalaborwa have been suspended.

The situation is reported to be calm.

ALERT: Kruger National Park Phalaborwa Gate inaccessible, August 5

Guests of Kruger National Park are hereby informed that Phalaborwa Gate is currently inaccessible due to protests by communities in the Ba-Phalaborwa area on the access roads such as R71 (leading to Phalaborwa Gate) taking place since Sunday, 2 August 2015. The protests have so far resulted in some vehicles burnt, schools & businesses affected and temporarily closed. Guests are advised to use alternative gates such as Orpen or Punda Maria to access and exit Kruger National Park until further notice.

Enquiries:

William Mabasa, GM: Communications & Marketing, Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919 or email: william.mabasa@sanparks.org or

Isaac Phaahla, Media Specialist – SANParks. Contact: 012 426 5315, cell 083 673 6974, or email Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

Road to Kruger Park closed over strike action, August 4

Motorists are advised not to approach the Kruger National Park from Phalaborwa due to ongoing strike action at the mines.

A strike which started at the Phalaborwa Mining Company last night has affected access to the Kruger National Park. Motorists have been advised to rather use Orpen Road to access the park.

Strikers have reportedly blocked roads into Phalaborwa with fires in the roads. Three trucks and two bakkies were also burnt in the town by angry residents on Sunday.

The unrest started on Friday. Lethaba Herald reports that some of the strikers said Phalaborwa Mining Company (PMC) was undermining them with talk of establishing a new steel plant in Mpumalanga.