Tourist safety is a priority for HCBT

Not only for visitors to the festival, but first and foremost for the festive season, especially in the light of recent attacks on foreign tourists in the area.

Members of HCBT work unceasingly with the other organisations to catch the perpetrators and solve the problem.

According to the chairman, Chris Harvie, it was decided at a regional SAPS priority meeting to mount roadblocks throughout the region, including Hazyview, between December 12 to January 2.

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As previously, the HCBT will assist, especially in keeping traffic moving if the roadblock causes long delays.

“The roadblock is a good thing, however irritating it might be,” said Harvie. “We have an influx of as many as 1,5 million extra people staying within 30 kilometres of Hazyview over the Christmas period, so any extra police presence is to be welcomed.”

The HCBT also played a significant role in the establishment of a private aftercare and trauma room at the police station. Situated conveniently behind the charge office, anyone (tourist or resident) that suffers a traumatic incident can make use of it when statements are taken down and more.

It is already up and running and was kitted out by HCBT.

He also assured road users that the ore trucks using the R40 would be off the road again over Christmas and New Year.

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At the moment only 300 are used on the entire length of the route from Phalaborwa to Maputo, and marked patrol vehicles are monitoring the route.

The trucks are not allowed to be on the roads between 22:00 and 05:00, and new truck stops are being provided outside the towns.