“Escalating criminal activities against tourists in the province will cause the latter not to consider Mpumalanga as a future destination,” said Ms Pinky Phosa, MEC for economic development, environment and tourism. The MEC addressed the community of Bushbuckridge during her Tourism Safety Awareness Campaign on Saturday, March 29.
“Crime will negatively impact tourism establishments and subsequently the livelihoods of local community members working at hotels, lodges and resorts. The ANC government can’t allow criminal behaviour against tourists to derail the growth of this sector. This market is one of the pillars of the Mpumalanga Economic Growth and Development Programme (MEGDP) and plays an important role in taking the province forward.”
Phosa urged communities to work together with police to ensure that those who perpetrate crimes against tourists are arrested. Only in this way can an environment be created in which the tourism sector can attract investors resulting in the industry flourishing.
These sentiments were echoed by Mr Jacque Modipane, CEO of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA). “I am pleading with communities in this province to defend our tourism industry against criminal actions. In this way citizens can assist government in ensuring that Mpumalanga reaps the benefits of its natural resources.” Modipane also pointed out that this sector created employment opportunities.
Mr Bongani Kubhayi, acting general manager Crime Prevention and Community Police Relations, also attended the event and spoke on behalf of MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Mr Vusi Shongwe. Kubhayi stated the ANC government will do everything necessary to arrest perpetrators of crime against tourists.
“Although indications are there seems to be a decline in many crime categories in Mpumalanga, “ said Kubhayi, “it it is of great concern that crimes against tourists around the Hazyview area appear to be on the increase. As SAPS we will spare no effort to pursue and arrest the perpetrators of these crimes.”
“We must make it our responsibility to look after tourists; we must never allow few rogue elements to tarnish the good image of our province as one of the leading and favoured tourist destinations,” concluded Kubhayi.
