SANParks ask South Africans to remain calm as more complaints roll in

SANParks ask South Africans to remain calm as more complaints roll in

- There was an outcry after South Africans learnt about the incident in which pro cycler Nic Dlamini broke his arm

- Nic was violently arrested by South African National Parks rangers and it was caught on camera

- SANParks is now asking the country to remain calm as more people are opening up about their unpleasant experiences with rangers

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South African National Parks rangers got the attention of South Africans after an altercation between officials and a professional cyclist was caught on film.

The cyclist, Nicholas Dlamini, was accused of resisting arrest and a scuffle broke out, which led to his arm being broken.

Nicholas is a South African pro cyclist who has a number of successes under his belt and was looking at a very promising season in 2020 which is now in doubt after suffering his injury.

South Africans were angered by the video showing how this happened, and soon others were sharing their own experiences on social media.

It seems rangers have gained a bad reputation, and according to TimesLIVE, SANParks has called for people to calm down.

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"We also appeal to all to please stop speculating but rather respect the process. They should stop all the insults they are throwing at the rangers. This will not assist the process."

Here's what some people had to say about the treatment they received:

@MattBeers55

I’ve been pushed off the road by this same @TableMountainNP bakkie in Silvermine. I showed my permit at the bottom and was shouted at to show it again while doing an interval so I said I’ll show it when I’m done. They got super aggressive and drove me off the road.

@3DMapLady

I was also abused by @SANParks rangers when I stopped on Silvermine Road one day! They were hectic to me, accused me of stealing plants when I was picking up glass.

@GeorgeDell666

Years ago my sons then aged around 6-10 years old has a @SANParks official at #Silvermine carry on like a lunatic because they were picking up small branches and putting them into a pile, claimed they were destroying the ecology.

@rehad_rahim

My very own experiences with #SANParks as a Tour Operator and guide has left me and many others to feel that SanParks thinks they are a law unto themselves.

@skomvanniekaap

I was stopped by rangers near the old zoo and they were having a go at me for "filming" and taking photos of the structure... really? They would also not give their names and threatened that if the pics came out on social media, there would be "consequences".

Meanwhile, Briefly.co.za reported that Environmental Affairs Minister, Barbara Creecy, has instructed that the officials involved in the scuffle be suspended.

"I have also instructed the chairperson and senior managers of SANParks to suspend the officers who were involved in this incident and to launch an independent investigation so that we can get all the facts and take any remedial steps needed."

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Source: Briefly News

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