Durban – The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs Barbara Creecy has confirmed that the board of SANParks has given its approval for the polygraph testing for employees.
Creecy confirmed that the approval had been given in a response to a question posed by the DA on the implementation of polygraph testing for new and existing SA National Parks employees.
In her response, Creecy said that the SANParks Polygraph Testing Policy was approved by the board on November 23.
“It is envisaged that the policy will be implemented in the fourth quarter of the 2022/23 financial year. The Polygraph Testing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has also been developed to guide the implementation of the policy. A polygraph testing committee will be established to guide and advise on the implementation processes.”
Dave Bryan, DA MP and spokesperson on the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, said now that the minister had committed to fully implementing the testing by the end of 2023, the DA would be keeping a keen eye on progress to ensure that this happens.
“The DA has been one of the strongest advocates for the use of polygraph testing as a means to hold SANParks employees to account. Our members in the National Assembly have raised the matter on numerous prior occasions through written questions and portfolio oversight.”
Bryant added that plans to implement polygraph testing have unfortunately been stalled for many years, during which time thousands of endangered animals, in particular rhinos, have been poached.
“The move will sadly come too late for the many rangers who have lost their lives to poachers and so many animals that have been the victims of collaboration between corrupt staff members in SANParks and the criminal underworld.
“The minister must do all she can to compel the minister of police to work with Interpol to tackle these criminal networks, both in South Africa and abroad.”