Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said on Wednesday she was shocked at the killing of a German tourist in an attempted hijacking near Kruger National Park on Monday.
Sisulu told a media briefing that even though only three tourists had been killed in the past 27 years, this death was one death too many as it impacted negatively on the image of the country. Such incidents had the potential to reverse the gains being made by the tourism sector following two years of the Covid-19 pandemic which saw the industry come to a standstill, she added.
"I am shocked at the killing and attack of the German tourist on Monday ... while making their way to a lodge near Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga,“ she said.
“Today I met with the family members before their departure to Germany to express my deepest condolences. I would like to again convey my condolences to the family and friends of the tourist who was killed in this incident.”
Sisulu said her department will continue its efforts within government to ensure tourist safety in Mpumalanga, which has been reported to be a hotspot for robberies against tourists.
“The attack of tourists is not a daily occurrence but it is one death too many. Tourism is at the heart of our economic growth strategy, contributing 3.7% to the country's GDP, more than agriculture, utilities and construction. Incidents of crime directed at tourists and tourism products tarnish South Africa's reputation and create a negative perception of our country as a destination and in turn, impact on both visitor experience and visitor numbers,” Sisulu said.
Police Minister Bheki Cele and national police commissioner Fannie Masemola visited the area on Wednesday to check on the progress of investigations. Cele said the police had identified three people of interest who could be behind the gruesome murder of the German national near Numbi Gate.
"The police seem to have satisfied themselves of the information they have collected. They are not arrested. They are people of interest. We believe that we will be able to crack the case very soon," Cele said.
Cele lamented reports that the area had become a hotbed for tourist attacks and robberies, after learning there had been no less than 11 such incidents in the area.
" We have not done very well with arrests, only two arrests have been made," he added.