In the wake of a shooting at Perry’s Bridge on Monday, the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) has assured the public and tourists that Hazyview remains a safe destination, reports the Lowvelder.

The victim was identified as Daniel Tehebo, an Ethiopian man, and was allegedly followed by the suspects from his previous location, reported the Mpumalanga News.

After Tehebo parked his car and entered a restaurant, two armed suspects, who were driving a Volkswagen Polo, exited their vehicle and approached him while he was drinking coffee and opened fire.

Tehebo sustained gunshot wounds to his hand and stomach during the shooting.

He is now recovering in hospital.

@lowvelder

Watch footage of a suspect involved in the shooting that took place at Perry’s Bridge in Hazyview on February 9. Although the victim was shot multiple times, he survived and is currently receiving medical treatment at Nelspruit MediClinic. > Video: Supplied

♬ original sound – Lowveld Media

Targeted incident

KLCBT CEO Linda Grimbeek said that despite the incident occurring at a tourism hub, it appeared the victim was specifically targeted.

She further emphasised that there have been no incidents related to tourist safety in the past 18 months.

“We believe this was a targeted incident related to an issue between the victim and the suspects, rather than an attempted business robbery. While we are concerned because it occurred at a business within a key tourism area, tourists and business owners were not the intended targets,” Grimbeek explained.

While the KLCBT expressed confidence regarding tourist safety, the organisation acknowledged that crime remains a challenge in the Hazyview area.

Grimbeek said the KLCBT plans to embark on a similar initiative to the successful project implemented on Numbi Road.

Additional security measures

“We are calling on businesses and stakeholders in the sector to contribute to this fund so that we can put additional security measures in place to strengthen the safety of tourists and businesses,” she said.

Oupa Pilane, re-elected chairperson of the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association, said police should arrest the suspects within 24 hours.

He condemned the shooting, adding that the perpetrators were brazen enough not to wear balaclavas.

“Because it happened in a prominent tourism area, it could negatively impact the sector. This must be dealt with as a matter of urgency,” Pilane said.

He added that while the shooting was targeted and not a random attack on tourists, it remains a serious concern.

Pilane highlighted that the private and tourism sectors have invested heavily in safety measures to protect both visitors and customers.

“We have seen the results of our security investments, as there were no incidents during the festive season. However, this shooting shows that more needs to be done. We need more cameras on the roads so that when incidents such as this occur, suspects can be traced and apprehended before leaving the area,” he said.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed the shooting and said police are working around the clock to arrest the suspects.

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