The killing of an unnamed German tourist has shocked South Africans including Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu who has expressed sadness at the brutal nature of the murder in Mpumalanga province three days ago, APA learnt on Wednesday.
“I condemn this murder and robbery in the strongest terms and call for harsh punishment of those responsible,” Sisulu said.
“Tourism is one of our economic drivers and a provider of jobs for the youth. We must work hard to protect this industry,” the minister said.
The tourist was fatally shot point blank through a shut window by one of a group of criminals while travelling at around 4.30pm on Monday, according to the police in Mpumalanga.
The incident took place when the deceased, who was among four tourists from Germany traveling in a saloon vehicle on Numbi Road en route to Numbi Gate at Mdluli Safari Lodge in White River, were stopped by three armed suspects driving a VW Caddy, police said.
Expressing her condolences, Sisulu urged law enforcement agencies “to leave no stone unturned in bringing to book the perpetrators of this heinous crime.”
“Our country receives a large number of tourists from all over the globe, including Germany. The high number of tourists is one of the ways in which our tourism sector has been able to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, Police Minister Bheki Cele and senior officers of the South African Police Service will on Wednesday visit the murder scene of the German tourist in Mpumalanga as police intensified investigations into the fatal shooting on Numbi Road in White River.
NM/as/APA