Game parks face closure after rates rocket

TWO game parks may be forced to close their gates, or hike their prices, after losing their annual rates rebates from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality because of an ambiguous line in a property rates policy.

Over the years, the policy has given the Kragga Kamma Game Park and Seaview Predator Park a 75% discount on normal business and commercial property rates.

But for the 2013-2014 financial year, a new policy states that the parks should be used "predominantly" as game parks with the "sole purpose" of viewing of animals.

The contradictory wording has created confusion among municipal staff, who have refused to grant any discounts to the two game parks because both have restaurants and/or curio shops. The metro has ruled that this is not using the parks for the "sole purpose" of viewing animals. -