By: Natasha Archary
Minister of Tourism, Lindiwe Sisulu still insists South Africa is safe, and encourages international tourists to continue their travels to the country.
This despite the shocking murder of a German tourist in Mpumalanga on Monday, 03 October.
Speaking at a media briefing, Sisulu addressed her department’s response to the incident at the Kruger National Park.
“There is a record of safety and that is a record we’d like to keep. We assure tourists that South Africa is safe, we provide maximum security for tourists. What we will do now is either secure that place or find an alternative route into the Kruger National Park.”
Sisula says in the past 27-years there have only been 3 tourists killed while on holiday in South Africa.
Anni Dewani was, according to Sisulu the only murder of an international visitor, which Sisulu said was also a hit on the woman.
Dewani was shot and killed in Cape Town whilst on honeymoon, after an alleged botched hijacking attempt.
The second tourist death was according to Sisulu a result of an accident in Cape Town a few years ago.
Lindiwe Sisulu went onto say that the former Tourism Minister addressed the issue of robberies that international travellers experienced at OR Tambo international airport.
“A few years ago, tourists would complain that they were followed from Johannesburg airport and robbed along the way to their hotel. The former minister looked into this matter, and we ensured that everyone who comes into the airport is followed through and warned about the possibility of being followed.”
However, Action Society’s Ian Cameron called out the minister for her inaccurate depiction of safety in SA.
“Well, Minister I don’t know which SA you and Bheki Cele are living in but with 71 murders a day, does this sound like a safe country to you?”
Action Society’s Ian Cameron picked apart Lindiwe Sisulu’s statement that the country is safe to visit
While Minister Bheki Cele attends photo ops instead of fighting crime, Minister Lindiwe Sisulu is telling the world that South Africa is a safe place to visit.
— Action Society (@ActionSocietySA) October 6, 2022
With 71 murders per day, does South Africa sound like a safe country to you? pic.twitter.com/EgvQDTDBWF
Also read: Mpho Phalatse given 48 hours to apologise for calling ANC corrupt



