Developing a security risk management model for commercial private game reserves in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

ABSTRACT

This article explores the potential contribution that security risk assessments and a security programme on commercial private game reserves in the Limpopo Province of South Africa can make to ensure the safety and security, not only of their visitors, but also of the wildlife and natural assets of a game reserve. Not all commercial private game reserves can afford an extensive security programme and the person in charge may not be a security and/or a risk management expert, therefore the need arises for the development of a fundamental and straightforward security programme.

KEYWORDS:

• commercial private game reserves
• Limpopo Province; protecting tourist visitors
• security risk management programme
• South Africa
• wildlife crime

Compliance with ethical standards

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical Clearance Certificate (dated: 30/10/2018), granted by the University of South Africa College of Law Ethics Review Committee (Ref. ST102 of 2018).

All participants (interviewees) signed an informed consent form affirming voluntary participation in the research study with identity confidentiality and anonymity being guaranteed by the researcher.

Notes

1 See The International Ecotourism Society, ‘What is Ecotourism’; Center for Responsible Travel, Case for Responsible Travel.

2 Helling, ‘Is South Africa Safe to Visit in 2023’.

3 Galal, ‘African Countries Largest Number of International Tourist Arrivals’.

4 Statistics South Africa, Tourism 2022, 9.

5 World Bank, International Tourism, Receipts.

6 Galal, ‘African Countries Largest International Tourism Receipts’.

7 Metin, ‘Nature-based Tourism’, 175.

8 Schurink et al, ‘Thematic Inquiry in Qualitative Research’, 303.

9 Herman, Security Measures Commercial Private Game Reserves Limpopo, 12–13, 19, 22.

10 Paffen, ‘What is a Private Game Reserve in Africa’; Baker, ‘South Africa’s Private Game Reserves are Struggling’; Clasquin, ‘What is the Difference Between a National Park and a Private Game Reserve’.

11 Minnaar and Herbig, ‘The Impact of Conservation Crime’, 147.

12 SA-Venues, ‘Limpopo Game Reserves’.

13 Smith, ‘Extent of Drop to Travel and Tourism’s Contribution to SA Economy’.

14 World Travel & Tourism Council, Economic Impact Reports: Regional Overview 2019.

15 Department of Tourism, Annual Performance Plan, iv.

16 McIntosh, Goeldner and Ritchie, Tourism, 223.

17 Limpopo Provincial Government, Limpopo Socio Economic Review 2022/2023, 38–39.

18 StatsSA 2019

19 Limpopo, Socio Economic Review, 65–66

20 Ibid., 39.

21 Ibid.

22 Smith, ‘SA Tourism Hamstrung’.

23 South African Police Service, Crime Statistics.

24 Helling; Ishmail, ‘Crime Likely to Affect Tourist Season’.

25 Government of Canada, South Africa Travel Advice; Government United Kingdom, Foreign Travel Advice; Bambo, ‘Is South Africa Safe for Travel’.

26 Perry and Potgieter, ‘Crime and Tourism in South Africa’, 104.

27 Fay, Contemporary Security Management; Fay and Patterson, Contemporary Security Management; Fischer, Halibozek and Walters, Introduction to Security; McCrie, Security Operations Management; Ortmeier, Security Operations and Management; Rausand, Risk Assessment.

28 See Minnaar, ‘Poaching Rhino in South Africa’; Minnaar and Herbig.

29 Minnaar and Herbig, 156.

30 See Anon, ‘Attacks Force Game Lodges to Close’; Jordan, ‘Robbery and Murder Stalk SA’s National Parks’.

31 See Anon; Perumal, ‘Nature Reserve Closed after Another Body Found’; Baker, ‘South Africa’s Private Game Reserves are Struggling’.

32 See Toon, ‘True Cost of Rhino Poaching’; Minnaar and Herbig.

33 SAPS, National Rural Safety Strategy, 18.

34 McIntosh, Goeldner and Ritchie, 223.

35 Lubbe, Du Preez, Douglas and Fairer-Wessels, ‘Impact of Rhino Poaching on Tourist Experiences’, 8; Minnaar and Herbig, 148; Perry and Potgieter, 102.

36 Ishmail.

37 Ferreira and Harmse, ‘Crime and Tourism in SA’, 81.

38 Twenty-two of the 30 participants indicated having more than 10 years of experience in the industry (see Herman, 85–87).

39 Minnaar and Herbig, 155, 157, 159.

40 Ishmail.

41 Ortmeier, 82.

42 Van Brunschot and Kennedy, Risk Balance and Security, 13.

43 McCrie, 290.

44 Minnaar and Herbig, 156, 161.

45 Fay, 119.

46 Landoll, Security Risk Assessment, 5.

47 Glenn, Crime Prevention Triangle.

48 Landoll, 22, 26.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Dewald Herman

Dewald Herman obtained a BA (Heritage and Cultural Tourism, 2003) from the University of Pretoria. In 2011 obtained a Diploma (Security Management), a BTech (Security Management, 2012) and an MTech (Security Management, 2020) from the University of South Africa, Pretoria. Currently enrolled for doctoral studies at UNISA. From 2003 to 2006 was employed as a game ranger at the Mabula Game Reserve in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Promoted to Head Ranger in 2006. From 2007–2011 was employed in the private security industry as a security supervisor. Appointed to the UNISA Department of Protection Services in 2012 as a shift supervisor.

Sarika Kader

Sarika Kader holds a BA (2006) and a BA (Honours Criminology, 2007) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, and a MTech (Security Risk Management) (2010) from the University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa. She joined Unisa in 2008 as a postgraduate research assistant and in 2012 obtained tenure as a lecturer. Was promoted in 2019 to senior lecturer. Currently the Departmental Postgraduate Co-ordinator. In progress with a PhD (criminal justice), with a focus on a victimological analysis of robbery at residential premises. Has presented at both national and international conferences, with published articles on various topics including: ATM bombings; abalone poaching; campus security; the investigation of cybercrime; and risk management and investigations.

Anthony Minnaar

Anthony De Villiers Minnaar (DLitt et Phil) started his research career in 1983 at the Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa reaching the level of Senior Research Specialist (1995). March 1998-December 2003: Co-manager and Senior Researcher, Institute for Human Rights & Criminal Justice Studies, Technikon Southern Africa. Appointed a full Professor (Criminal Justice Studies) July 2003. Head: Programme Security Management, Department of Criminology and Security Science, College of Law, University of South Africa, Pretoria (2008-2014). Appointed in January 2013 as a Research Professor. A National Research Foundation (NRF) rated Researcher (2003-2025). Recipient in 2006 and 2017 of the UNISA Chancellor's Prize for Research Excellence (College of Law). Currently (2019 - ) a Research Associate, Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice, University of Limpopo.