SanParks hunts driver after Mercedes tears through Kruger protected areas

Video shows Mercedes‑Benz SL500 racing across flooded bridge and cornering dangerously in Kruger

Kruger National Park management is searching for a motorist after a video surfaced showing reckless driving inside the park. The footage, shared on Instagram by Petrus Janse van Rensburg, captures a Mercedes‑Benz SL500 crossing a flooded bridge and speeding around a sharp corner on a dirt road.

SanParks condemns the conduct

In response to the clip, SanParks said the behaviour displayed a “blatant disregard for conservation regulations, public safety, environmental protection measures and the authority of park management.”

“The organisation wishes to make it plainly clear that conduct of this nature will not be tolerated and will be dealt with the seriousness it deserves.”

𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗞𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗞𝗥𝗨𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗞

SANParks has launched a manhunt to trace and identify an individual responsible for dangerous, reckless, and unlawful conduct inside the Kruger National Park.

Footage… pic.twitter.com/jciPcP8pIn

Limpopo Chronicle (@LimChronicle) May 12, 2026

Laws protect biodiversity and public safety

The article notes that all protected areas are governed by the National Environmental Management Act (Nema) and the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act. Those laws prohibit activities that may harm biodiversity or damage ecosystems, and actions that threaten public safety or the integrity of conservation areas.

Failure to comply with these provisions can lead to criminal prosecution, substantial fines, imprisonment, civil liability for damages and administrative sanctions, the report states.

SanParks vows to find the driver

SanParks confirmed it is actively trying to trace the person shown in the footage.

“We are looking for this individual, and he will face the music,” SanParks said.

What happened and where it was reported

The video was published on social media and described in a report published on 12 May 2026. It shows the vehicle negotiating a flooded bridge and then taking a sharp corner at speed on a dirt road inside the Kruger National Park.

SanParks emphasised that such conduct will be treated seriously and pursued by park authorities under the relevant environmental and protected‑area legislation.