- Debt collectors switched off the taps on Tuesday afternoon after park officials failed to pay the massive bill.
- The municipality says it is broke because schools, clinics and estates owe millions in unpaid rates and taxes.
Tourists heading to the Kruger National Park for the holidays might find the taps running dry.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality cut the water supply to the famous wildlife reserve.
The municipality says the park owes R44-million in unpaid rates and taxes. This debt covers the Phalaborwa gate and popular camps like Mopani and Letaba.
Debt collectors went to the gate to physically switch off the water meters.
Donald Ramashoba, who collects debt for the municipality, says they had no choice. He claims the park has ignored them for months.
“On October 10 we handed a pre-termination letter to the Phalaborwa gate,” Ramashoba said.
He says SANParks promised to meet with them on 19 November but never responded after that. So, they cut the water.
Ramashoba says his client, the municipality, has no money.
He says the park is not the only one not paying. Many schools, clinics, lodges and residential estates also owe millions in rates.
Scrolla.Africa sent questions to SANParks on Wednesday morning to find out when they will pay the debt. By the time of publishing, they had not replied.
However, in a statement released later, SANParks confirmed that water supply was restored on the same day after an urgent call to the Municipal Manager.
They strongly disputed the debt collector’s claims, stating they have no record of owing R44-million.
“Specifically on the matter with Ba-Phalaborwa, clarity will be sought on how calculations were made,” SANParks stated. “As is, there are no records on our part confirming that an amount of R44-million is legitimately owed.”
The park body also noted that while they use some municipal services, the KNP is “largely self-sufficient”.
The debt collector confirmed to Scrolla.Africa that the taps were switched back on following the engagement. A virtual meeting has been scheduled for 16 December to try and resolve the dispute.
Pictured above: Debt collectors switching off water meters.
Image source: Supplied
This story was updated on 12 December 2025 to include a response from SANParks confirming that water has been restored and that they are disputing the alleged debt.
