Motorist arrested after allegedly driving over cheetah in Kruger National Park

Posted by David Henning on 27 September 2021

A motorist has been arrested after allegedly driving over a cheetah at Punda Maria in Kruger National Park on Saturday 25 September 2021.

A 51-year old driver was involved in an accident at Punda Maria on Saturday, in which a cheetah was killed. The driver will face charges relating to Section 4 (1)(h) under the National Environmental Management: Protected areas act 57 of 2003 regulations.

The details surrounding the accident are still sketchy, according to a SANParks statement. The Vlakteplaas rangers attended to the scene of the accident and handed the driver over to the South African Police.

According to the latest update from Limpopo police spokesperson Motlafela Mojapelo, a case has been opened as investigations continue.

‘I can confirm that police at Saselamani in the Vhembe district have opened a case of reckless and negligent driving after a 51-year-old woman from Saselamani village drove over a cheetah inside the Kruger National Park next to Punda Maria gate. Police investigations are continuing,’ said Mojapelo

SANParks urges all visitors to their parks to be extra vigilant and observe the speed limit in the parks after the recent incident. Cheetahs are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list of endangered species, with less than 7 000 remaining in the wild.

Picture:  Elise Kirsten/Getaway Gallery

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