SANParks conservation head suspended, rhino info contract terminated

SA National Parks (SANParks) has suspended its head of conservation services Hector Magome, it said on Tuesday.

"We can confirm that SANPark's managing executive... has been put on precautionary suspension," spokesman Reynold Thakhuli said.

He declined to give further details, saying the matter was "not for public consumption".

Thakhuli did, however, confirm that the contract of Pathfinder, a company involved in the collection of rhino poaching information, had been terminated.

"Pathfinder's contract has been terminated and as an organisation we are not compelled to give reasons for termination of this contract as it is a matter between client and service provider," he said.

Beeld reported that the company's contract was valid until February 2016.

The Afrikaans daily reported there was infighting at SANParks, which Thakhuli denied.

"We are not aware of any infighting and we would like to refute these claims in the strongest terms," he said.