The Mkambati Nature Reserve is among the 15 managed by the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, which now faces significant financial challenges due to significant budget cuts.
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) appears to be in turmoil following the abrupt resignation of its chief executive, Vuyani Dayimani, with immediate and the provincial government’s severe cuts to its operating budget.
In an emergency meeting with ECPTA board chairperson Dr Nomakwezi Mzilikazi and other executives this week, worried staff representatives were informed that the agency was facing a dire situation concerning its finances and told what the bosses were doing in trying to salvage the looming crisis.
“The agency for this financial year (2026/27) received a budget of R210 million that was ring-fenced for salaries, amounting to R204 million, and approximately R7 million for operations.
“The board, in realising that the entity would not be able to operate under such constrained budget, wrote to the mother body, the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) for an urgent intervention and indicated that should the entity not be assisted, it will cease operations,” the Public Servants Association (PSA) reported to its members on Thursday.
