SAWS & SANParks Q1 and Q2 2025/26 Performance; with the Minister and Deputy Ministers

Video The Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment met on a virtual platform to receive first and second quarter performance briefings from South African National Parks (SANParks) and the South African Weather Service (SAWS). The session focused on performance, financial health, disaster response, audit findings, and major challenges for both entities. Severe flooding in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu‑Natal had affected wildlife, communities, and SANParks revenue. Fires in the Western and Eastern Cape had highlighted the need for better climate‑related disaster preparedness. In his opening remarks, the Minister praised both entities for their performance. He mentioned that the Kruger National Park flood recovery would require private sector support. In addition, a long‑term solution for Foot and Mouth Disease required repairing 300km of fencing at an approximate cost of R1 million per kilometre. He stressed the importance of collaboration across government, the private sector, and communities. Both entities had exceeded 80% achievement of their performance targets in quarter two. Concerns from Members included areas of underperformance, financial deficits (especially SAWS), audit findings by the Auditor-General of South Africa, and delays in service delivery -- for example, in broadcasting weather reports to people in vulnerable areas. SANParks had achieved 88% of its targets in both quarters one and two. It had expanded its national parks area by 12 000 hectares against a target of 10 000 hectares. Among its achievements it had: Cleared 60 950 ha of alien vegetation and rehabilitated 14 wetlands; Experienced a tourism increase of 12.9%, exceeding growth expectations; and Created 1 294 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) work opportunities. The Kruger National Park (KNP) had recently experienced prolonged rainfall and flooding. The successful evacuation of hundreds of people with zero injuries or deaths had been aided by the SAWS's early weather warnings. SANParks’ self‑generated revenue had exceeded targets by 11%. Its surplus was R191 million in the period under review, with a cash balance of R2.5 billion, which was largely committed to liabilities. There had been three key audit findings: failure to collect all revenue; failure to investigate all alleged financial misconduct; and failure to prevent R171.9 million in irregular expenditure. Challenges had included delays in obtaining veterinary permits, which had then delayed the translocation of game to communities. Members asked about the SANParks vacancy rate, which had increased from 11.59% to 14.83%; the sustainability of EPWP jobs; underspending on infrastructure; and progress on cultural heritage projects and wildlife economy programmes. The South African Weather Service reported strong performance in accurate aviation and marine forecasts; progress in research and radar infrastructure; and effective early warning systems, which were credited for preventing deaths in the recent floods. Underperformance areas were in climate and greenhouse gas data availability; national weather bulletins; community outreach programmes; and generating unregulated commercial revenue, which had been affected by a 2025 cyber attack. The SAWS had a significant deficit of R67.99 million in the second quarter, which was mainly due to reduced grant funding, the cyber attack impact and infrastructure procurement delays. Members asked about the cost to the SAWS of the cybersecurity recovery, and there were also questions about the theft and vandalism at air quality monitoring stations, the 8.1% vacancy rate, underspending and its consequences, and the lack of quarterly research and innovation targets.