Archie Tsoka, Marketing Manager has appealed to the Department of Tourism to invest in the security of Vilakazi Street.

Tsoka was commenting on the state of security in Vilakazi Street following the death of the manager of Sakhumzi restaurant. The manager was shot and killed in a robbery on Sunday evening.

Tsoka said that about five robberies of restaurants had occurred in Vilakazi Street since October last year. “You can see there’s a clear pattern but you haven’t done anything,” he said, referring to the security cluster in Soweto. He suggested that security systems in Vilakazi Street should be a combination of both public and private initiatives. Private security should be operating under police supervision. “Vilakazi Street is the Minister of Tourism’s business asset and he should be leading the security agenda.”

Tsoka said while he had not yet contacted the department directly, a meeting was meant to take place this week to discuss security concerns. He was unable to share any details of this meeting.

Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, said he was deeply saddened and disturbed when he heard of the fatal robbery at the popular Sakhumzi restaurant in Soweto at the weekend. The Department of Tourism will work together with provincial and local authorities, the community and businesses in the area to enhance safety in the vibrant precinct and promote further development, the department said in a statement.  

Police visibility has increased in the area since Sunday but Tsoka said this was likely to disappear by the end of the week.