Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is under mounting pressure to step down from the board of the African conservation charity, African Parks, following serious allegations of abuse and torture by armed rangers against suspected poachers. The revelations come from a comprehensive investigation conducted by author Olivier van Beemen, detailed in his new book “Entrepreneurs in the Wild,” published by Prometheus Amsterdam.
The Duke of Sussex has had a longstanding relationship with African Parks, serving initially as president before being promoted to the governing board of directors in 2023. In this capacity, he plays a key role in overseeing the charity’s policies and management of 22 national parks in partnership with various African governments. Prince Harry’s commitment to Africa has been public, with him saying, “Africa’s in my heart, Africa’s in my soul,” during a recent event with Senatable.
The allegations in van Beemen’s investigation are disturbing. Former staff members, including ex-ranger Foster Kalunga, described a torture technique known as “kampelwa” used to extract information from suspected poachers. This method involves tying a person’s hands and feet together behind their back, then hanging them on a stick between two branches, spinning them around, and hitting them. This technique is alleged to be used to coerce information from suspected poachers, with Kalunga stating that victims would confess to anything, even things they didn’t know, due to the intense pain.
African Parks has rejected these allegations, stating that Kalunga was dismissed for gross misconduct and that the book’s claims are misguided. The charity emphasized its rigorous vetting processes and long-term agreements with sovereign governments as proof of its accountability and transparency. However, van Beemen insists that his investigation uncovered a culture of abuse and human rights violations, suggesting that Prince Harry and others on the board should reconsider their involvement with the organization.
Despite African Parks’ defense, the growing scrutiny on the charity’s practices and governance raises questions about the role of the Duke of Sussex and other high-profile board members. As the controversy unfolds, African Parks faces significant reputational challenges, and Prince Harry may need to address public concerns regarding his association with the charity.
