Pretoria - The South African National Parks (SanParks) on Wednesday assured tourists ahead of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup that they need not worry about contracting cholera at any of their parks.
SanParks Chief Executive Officer, Dr David Mabunda, said they would be conducting tests to the rivers and streams that run through their parks, especially the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga.
"Although tourists do not drink directly from the rivers, it is imperative that we ensure that our visitors are free from the disease," Dr Mabunda said. He added to date there was no report of any visitor contracting the disease.
The water-borne disease was first detected in Musina, Limpopo, last year and it has since spread to other provinces.
Meanwhile, Dr Mabunda reported that SanParks recently received its fifth unqualified financial audit report for 2007/2008.
Dr Mabunda said they were extremely proud of the report, adding that the organisation continued to apply stricter rules to ensure accountability.
"We account for every activity embarked upon. Our internal management systems, including risk management, are equipped to deal with potential difficult situations," he said.
According to Dr Mabunda, the organisation has also achieved an increase in alternative revenues due to an improved investment portfolio.
"Our performance results on this front amounts to an impressive 81 percent against a target of 7 percent," Dr Mabunda said.
