SANParks on challenges faced by Table Mountain National Park & West Coast National Park; with Deputy Ministers

Video The Committee met with the management of South African National Parks (SANParks) to consider community concerns and operational challenges at the Table Mountain and West Coast national parks. The Office of the Speaker had referred to the Committee a letter from the Cochoqua tribe raising grievances about poor maintenance of heritage sites, lack of inclusivity in community proposals, privatisation of ancestral land and insufficient engagement. The Deputy Ministers of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment emphasised the ecological, cultural and social importance of the two parks, and identified crime, encroachment, wildfires and infrastructure as key challenges. SANParks reported that crime remained the most complex risk at Table Mountain, and highlighted responses such as staff increases, the deployment of technology, and cooperation with the City of Cape Town’s Fusion Centre, while fire management, trail maintenance and community engagement were ongoing priorities. On West Coast National Park, SANParks raised concern about the Elandsfontein mine after the removal of biodiversity offset conditions, and confirmed continued monitoring and oversight. Members questioned the adequacy of safety measures, firefighting resources, concession revenues, inclusivity of stakeholder consultation, access for traditional communities, and partnerships with the South African Police Service and volunteer groups. SANParks said it was strengthening partnerships, rebuilding trust with groups such as Friends of Table Mountain, re-engaging volunteers, prioritising local recruitment, and sustaining school access and fire awareness programmes, while reporting a 90% fire containment rate and acknowledging the need for a new platform for stakeholder engagement. The Committee resolved that SANParks must provide written responses by 15 September on the Langebaan grievances, crime statistics, mining matters with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the World Wildlife Fund, concession revenues and baboon management.