The American Embassy in Pretoria has lifted its warning to Americans to steer clear of the National Zoological Gardens (NZG) in Pretoria after security was recently sharpened at the zoo.
Angeline Schwan, NZG spokesperson, said the embassy lifted its caution after an increase in uniformed and non-uniformed police patrols at the zoo by Tshwane metro police and SAPS.
The embassy did, however, request that all Americans make use of the zoo’s official parking facilities and avoid any “street car guards” that are not employed by the zoo.
Craig Allenby, Manager of Commercial Services and Business Development, says that all the concerted efforts between the NZG, Tshwane metro, metro police and the SAPS, have yielded a very positive result.
“We have managed to rid the area of illegal hawkers and street vendors with the aim of creating a more appealing first impression of the zoo,” he said.
“The metro police and SAPS have given their assurance of their continued presence in the area and this was particularly evident on Heritage Day when there were more than 5 000 visitors at the zoo.”
Allenby added that no incidents of crime have since been reported.
The American Embassy in September issued a warning to Americans to stay away from the zoo until the spate of criminal activities in and around the zoo had been resolved.
Allenby said the zoo was aware of two cases of crime-related incidents involving visitors outside the zoo when visitors, who had apparently not parked inside the zoo’s designated parking area, were attacked when walking to their vehicles. One of the two robberies occurred in October last year and a second incident about three weeks ago.
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