The two suspects recently arrested in connection with the murder of a German tourist in the beginning of October made a brief appearance in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court on Monday November 21.

Cebo Marshall Mamba (38) and Bongimusa Fortune Lebo Matsane (25) were cornered in Mbombela last week. They were both remanded in custody and their case will be heard again on November 28.

Their arrest brings the total number of arrested suspects to three.

According to a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, German tourists were travelling between Numbi and the Kruger National Park when they were stopped by armed men.

Mohlala said the attackers demanded that the tourists to open their vehicle doors, at which point the driver locked them.

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Mohlala said one of the suspects shot the man in the upper body through the window. The suspects subsequently drove off without taking anything from the group.

“Unfortunately the tourist was certified dead. The police launched a manhunt from the onset and a breakthrough was made when they arrested one of the suspects a few weeks afterwards. The police are continuing their search for more answers and managed to arrest two more suspects,” explained Mohlala.

This incident triggered a lot of emotions and debate about the safety of tourists in the country.

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The minister of tourism, Lindiwe Sisulu, said, “I condemn this murder and robbery in the strongest terms and call for harsh punishment of those responsible.”

She also pointed out that tourism is among South Africa’s key economic drivers and was seeing a boom in people visiting the country.