SanParks spokesperson JP Louw added many visitors leave with very positive experiences. He was responding to the fatal shooting of a Canadian tourist in the park on Wednesday (17/6).

Mpumalanga police are investigating the incident at a concession-operated braai and picnic site near Phabeni Gate in the western section of the park.

According to the police, the male tourist, 69, was allegedly shot accidentally after engaging with a concession operator who had a rifle. It is alleged that the tourist approached the operator and asked whether the firearm was real.

While the operator was demonstrating the firearm, it reportedly discharged, striking the visitor in the upper body, and he was certified dead at the scene.

“The police have opened cases of culpable homicide and reckless handling of a firearm for further investigation,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Col. Mavela Masondo. “A suspect, 36, has been arrested and will appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court soon.

“The matters of safety about firearms are very important, and in this case, the necessary investigations are underway. We are hopeful that we will get details about the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident.”

Preliminary information indicates that a private guide attached to the concession operator allegedly accidentally discharged a firearm, resulting in the fatal injury of the guest.

The deceased was part of a group that had been booked outside the park and had entered the KNP specifically to participate in a bush braai experience offered by a private concession operator that holds a valid permit to operate within the park. Emergency services and law enforcement were alerted to the scene following the incident.

Responding to the allegations of the circumstances surrounding the incident, Louw said: “We didn’t really investigate the specifics about what occurred; once confirmation came that someone had lost their life, the matter was immediately handed over to the police to assess and investigate further.”

“It is extremely wrong to link this incident of possible negligence to another incident where criminals came into the park and committed a gruesome murder. Those two things are not the same.

“What we want to say at SanParks is that this is a deeply unfortunate and traumatic incident, and we extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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