SANParks takes steps to make employee polygraph testing compulsory

Posted by Jordyn Johnson on 23 December 2022

Easing into its Polygraph Testing Policy implemented in November 2022, SANParks will be introducing a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

SANParks’ General Manager: Media and Stakeholder Relations, Rey Thakhuli said that the SANParks Board approved and signed into effect the Polygraph Testing Policy. This will play a role in ‘preventing staff involvement in criminality, such as rhino poaching.’

Thakhuli stated that ‘the policy was developed after extensive consultation with relevant experts’ to ensure that no employee rights would be compromised.’

Rangers celebrated at the 10th annual Rhino Conservation Awards

Picture: Getaway gallery

South Africa’s Labour Law and SANParks Conditions of Service don’t allow for compulsory polygraph testing, but SANParks hopes to make it mandatory for several job categories in the future. They hope that this new policy will ‘result in the amendment of the Conditions of Service, as well as the inclusion of compulsory polygraph testing as part of new employment contracts.’

It will also take a while for existing employee contracts to be amended unless employees choose to have their contracts changed voluntarily.

The first step to achieving their goal is by implementing the SOP, where employees can volunteer to take a polygraph test. ‘This will be done to manage risks without compromising employees’ rights and resulting in victimisation.’

Although polygraph testing won’t completely eradicate criminality among SANParks employees, a pilot study that was conducted a few years ago showed the following benefits:

  • ‘For most of our rangers that are honest and committed to the protection of rhino, it provides an opportunity to demonstrate that they are trustworthy – this is an important imperative for team cohesion and constitutes positive pressure to all the cores.
  • The instrument is also one of the many initiatives that SANParks uses to deter employees from participating in criminal activity.
  • An indication of potential deception in a result, whilst it cannot be utilised to initiate disciplinary action, utilised with other tools, such as investigations, inform criminal and disciplinary procedures.’

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