International tourists cancel their trips amid crime concerns

18 October 2022

Note to editors: Please find attached soundbite by Manny de Freitas MP.

The tragic murder of a German tourist earlier this month has cast a shadow over international tourism to South Africa. As a result many tour operators and individuals traveling to South Africa cancelled their trips.

We have warned government that this one negative incident could have a greater ramifications to tourism in SA, and by extension to our economy. The United States Embassy in South Africa has already issued a travel warning on 13 October 2022 advising its citizens to be “situationally aware” when travelling to the Kruger National Park (KNP).

As a short-term measure the DA has proposed that the KNP Numbi Gate be closed. Our information is that there has been no additional resources, from a human or infrastructure perspective, provided to the local police station. This is of great concern as the potential for more embassies to provide travel warnings to their citizens may well grow which may add to the current cancellations.

The ANC government appears to be sitting on its hands and doing little to improve this situation. It is vital that government add resources to the local SAPS and implement measures so that international tourists regain confidence to travel to South Africa and the KNP in particular.

I will be submitting official questions to the Minister of Police to ascertain what he is doing to improve this situation as quickly as possible.

Issued by Manny de Freitas, DA Shadow Minister of Tourism, 18 October 2022