The Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has launched a court application in the Pietermaritzburg High Court to force a security company to cough up money it allegedly failed to bank as directed.

The state-owned nature conservation entity has also opened a case of theft with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Hluhluwe, northern KwaZulu-Natal.

The court action and the latter case stem from an alleged theft that was committed by the security company and its employees while it was contracted to provide services at the historic and picturesque Hluhluwe-Imfolozi game reserve.

The security company was contracted to provide security at the game reserve and its many resorts inside it. Later, the scope of the tender was amended and extended to include collecting and banking money from the game reserve.

During a forensic investigation, which was initiated by the entity to get rid of rotten apples and corrupt managers, it was discovered that some of the money that was collected from the reserve never made it to the bank accounts of Ezemvelo.

The police in KwaZulu-Natal confirmed the investigation.

“Police in Hluhluwe have opened a case of theft after an undisclosed amount of money was reportedly stolen from a game reserve in Hluhluwe between 2018 and 2020.

“It is reported that an auditor was auditing the books when it was discovered that there was money which could not be accounted for. The matter is under investigation,” said Lt Colonel RobertNetshiunda, the provincial spokesperson of the police.

On Tuesday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ezemvelo, Sihle Mkhize, confirmed that they are acting to recoup the money that was allegedly stolen, hence they have gone to court.