Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
- Which reserve offices and partner organisations are eligible to issue permits for accommodation and/or activities on behalf of CapeNature, (b)(i) which of these offices or entities are accepting alternative payment methods (other than cash) and (ii) what payment methods are available at each of these offices, (c) how are the risks associated with the handling of cash, where cash is still accepted, reduced and (d) what are the details of any losses incurred through the handling of cash over the previous three financial years?
- All CapeNature reserve offices are eligible to issue permits for accommodation and/activities at those reserves on behalf of CapeNature. The following partner organisations are eligible to issue activity permits on behalf of CapeNature:
Cederberg Wilderness and Matjiesrivier CP Du Toit EH Nieuwoudt APC Nieuwoudt J Van Der Westhuizen GH Karsten S Windell Mount Ceder GP Lochner Rocklands |
Limietberg Nature Reserve Justin Nurse at Bainskloof Lodge Du Kloof Trout Farm |
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve McGregor Tourism Die Galg Accommodation |
Jonkershoek Nature Reserve MTO (not currently active while a new contract is being negotiated) |
(b)(i) All partners and some high-volume reserves are equipped to accept alternative payment methods. Bookings for accommodation, camping and hiking can be made online on the CapeNature website.
(b)(ii) Credit card payments are accepted as an alternative to cash.
(c) To reduce the risks associated with the handling of cash, where cash is still accepted, gate guards are required to complete permits manually and each day the reserve staff reconcile the cash up report to the permit book. A batch document is completed and the cash is placed in the safe. If possible, banking is done on a daily basis, but due to the location of some reserves, banking is done on a weekly basis. A security company collects cash daily at Robberg and Keurbooms Nature Reserves as these are high-volume sites.
Furthermore, CapeNature is endeavouring to be cashless at reserves, as far as possible, with the introduction of Point of Sales equipment whereby visitors can pay with any type of bank card.
(d) There have been no losses incurred over the past three financial years.
