South African National Parks/ Facebook
Polygraph tests could soon be implemented for staffers working at South African National Parks (SANParks) in a bid to prevent workers from being involved in criminal activities.
A body charged with the management of the national parks system is in the process of developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ease the implementation of its recently approved Polygraph Testing Policy.
SANParks General Manager, Media and Stakeholder Relations, Rey Thakhuli says the programme was approved by their Board last month and was developed after extensive consultation, including with organised labour.
“The intention is ultimately to make polygraph testing compulsory to certain job categories as determined by a risk assessment of function and job content, however, the current Labour Law environment and SANParks Conditions of Service disallow compulsory application of polygraph testing.”
Thakhuli says the policy will pave the way for negotiating a collective agreement soon that will result in the amendment of the Conditions of Service as well the inclusion of compulsory polygraph testing as part of new employment contracts.
For existing employees, he says the amendment of employment contracts in line with the policy can only be undertaken following negotiation and conclusion of a collective agreement with organised labour while an option for individual employees to voluntarily agree to have their employment contract amended.
“This will be done to manage risks without compromising employees’ rights and resulting in victimisation.”
“It is accordingly important to appreciate that Polygraph testing is not the answer to prevent or manage staff involvement in criminality but it is a tool that needs to be used as part of the toolkit and with a full understanding of its benefits, but also its limitations,” Thakhuli he added.
He says that a previous pilot at Kruger National park proved that testing played an important role in preventing staff involvement in criminality, such as rhino poaching.
Meanwhile, DA Shadow Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Dave Bryant, has welcomed the move saying the party had long advocated for the use of polygraph testing as a means to hold SANParks employees to account.
“The move will sadly come too late for the many rangers who have lost their lives to poachers and so many animals that have been the victims of collaboration between corrupt staff members in SANParks and the criminal underworld.
