Delivery truck driver suspended after near-miss with fighting elephants at Skukuza

A delivery driver has been suspended after eyewitnesses say his truck nearly struck two fighting elephants on the H1-2 near Skukuza. According to The Citizen (Lowvelder), the incident prompted condemnation from Kruger National Park authorities and action by the supplier.

Eyewitness account: driver drove through parked cars

Park guests watching two elephant bulls fighting reported that a delivery truck pushed through parked vehicles while the skirmish was under way. Azille Engelbrecht, a park guest from Pretoria, told The Citizen (Lowvelder):

“We tried to stop the driver when he pushed through parked vehicles while we were watching the skirmish,”

and that when she warned him to be careful he replied he was behind on his deliveries and would drive on.

Engelbrecht said the driver then sped off, swerving across the road and heading towards the elephants, nearly hitting one. She said the two elephants scattered and fled into the bush and that, after the incident, they were standing on either side of the road shaking their heads and flapping their ears.

She reported the matter to the duty manager at Skukuza but said she did not get any reply, according to The Citizen (Lowvelder).

Kruger Park response

Kruger National Park spokesperson Rey Thakuli told The Citizen (Lowvelder) that authorities had noted the video of the incident with great concern and condemned the aggression displayed towards the elephants. He said:

“We will track the culprit down and he will be issued a hefty fine. The action might include a ban from entering the park,”

according to The Citizen (Lowvelder).

Supplier action

According to The Citizen (Lowvelder), the owner of the company involved said immediate action had been taken against the driver and was quoted as saying:

“We are extremely disappointed and concerned about this incident. My family has been doing business in the reserves for over 25 years, and this is something I never thought would occur with our drivers.”

The owner added that the driver has been suspended with immediate effect, The Citizen (Lowvelder) reported.

What happened next

Park authorities said they would pursue enforcement action, and the supplier said it had suspended the driver. Further details about any fines, bans or internal disciplinary outcomes were not provided in the reporting by The Citizen (Lowvelder).