SOUTH AFRICAN National Parks (SANParks) says the murder of a German tourist in Mpumalanga could result in holiday cancellations by local and international visitors.
SANParks acting CEO Hapiloe Sello urged tourists to use alternative routes amid concerns about attacks on tourists at the Kruger National Park’s Numbi Gate.
The 67-year-old German tourist was gunned down at Numbi Gate after three armed men ambushed him and three others, including his wife.
Sello said tourists had access via several entry points north and south of the Kruger National Park.
She said tourists travelling from Mozambique also had direct access to the Giriyondo Border Post, which allowed direct access to the park.
“We fully appreciate that this incident has brought a lot of apprehension to many of our loyal local and international visitors, which could result in cancellations for planned visits to the park and surrounding areas,” said Sello.
“It is thus important for us to remind our loyal visitors that Kruger has a total of 10 gates which tourists can safely enter from,” said Sello.
At a media briefing on Wednesday, Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said she and tourism stakeholders had met the surviving tourists before they flew back to Germany from OR Tambo International Airport.
According to the minister, there hadn’t been trip cancellations from German tourists after the incident. She assured travellers they would enjoy maximum protection.
She claimed that it was an isolated incident and had been the third in South Africa in 27 years.
But a News24 fact check revealed that Sisulu’s statement was entirely false, as there were multiple stories about tourists who had died in South Africa.
Also at the briefing was German Ambassador Andreas Peschke, who said he was encouraged by the government’s response and effort to ensure continued tourist safety.
He said Germany was one of South Africa’s biggest tourism markets, and efforts to attract more visitors from that country would continue.
“[Germany] is the third largest tourism market for South Africa… We still plan to bring a direct flight from Germany to Mbombela (in Mpumalanga) to increase the possibilities of exploring this beautiful country…
“We have the impression that the government is fully aware of the situation and is taking the necessary steps. We are ready to cooperate,” he said.
Image (Worried. Tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu says the murder of a German will affect tourism as a whole in the country).
