Minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu has condemned the murder of a German tourist who was shot and killed in what is believed to be an attempted car-jacking incident in White River, Mpumalanga.
The police in Mpumalanga have since launched a manhunt for the suspects who shot and killed the German tourist in Numbi Road near White River just after 4pm on Monday.
The minister said she condemns the senseless killing of a tourist amid an attempt to revive the tourism sector, which is central to job creation in the country affected by the high unemployment rate.
Sisulu said she would be engaging with her colleagues in the security cluster to ensure that such incidents never happen as the country seeks to revive the tourism industry, which was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic for over two years.
"I condemn this murder and robbery in the strongest terms and call for harsh punishment of those responsible. Tourism is one of our economic drivers and a provider of jobs for the youth. We must work hard to protect this industry as this, in turn, has a negative impact on the socio-economic benefits of the sector, particularly tourism's contribution to gross domestic product, job creation and ultimately poverty alleviation, "she said.
Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the police in Masoyi are investigating an incident in which a tourist was fatally shot by a group of ruthless criminals who was shot just after 4.30 pm on Monday. It is believed that the incident was an attempted car-jacking which happened in White River, Mpumalanga, a destination notorious for violent crimes in the area.
It is reported that the tourist was travelling with three other tourists in a Hyundai H1 on Numbi Road, and they were on their way to Numbi Gate at Mdluli Safari lodge when they were attacked by the unknown suspects. The tourists were then stopped by three armed suspects who were driving in a VW Caddy. The suspects are said to have instructed the tourists to open the doors of their vehicle, but when the driver reportedly locked all the doors, apparently, one of the suspects shot him in the upper body through the window.
It is further reported that the victims' vehicle drove in reverse for about 100 meters before crashing into the wall of Heroes Academy. Unfortunately, the driver died on the spot as a result of the shooting. The suspects reportedly sped off in their vehicle without taking anything from the tourists.
"The police at Masoyi, as well as other role players in the Emergency Services, were alerted about the incident. A murder case was opened with an immediate launch of a manhunt for the suspects," Brigadier Mohlala said.
According to the police, a manhunt for the suspects has ensued with no arrests as yet. The police have urged members of the community who might have heard or seen anything to make contact with them.
SAPS Provincial Commissioner for Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has condemned the gruesome act of atrocity by the suspects saying it was uncalled for and paints the province in a negative light as tourism is one of the province's biggest priorities to grow the economy and contribute to jobs.
"This is really cruel and uncalled for, given the economic challenges that our country is facing. When one has tourists, then it means the tourism sector is benefiting in a way which in turn gives a boost to our struggling economy. We call on our good citizens who might have seen or heard anything about these criminals, or the VW Caddy they were driving, to come forward, and we promise to swiftly act so that they are brought to justice," Lieutenant General Manamela said.