Mpumalanga has been plagued with protests, as locals in both Mpumalanga and Limpopo are taking action over service delivery issues. Many protestors have taken to the streets to voice their frustration, however, such action is taking its toll on the tourism industry.

Tourism Update recently conducted a poll, asking readers to vote whether the ongoing service protests in Mpumalanga were deterring tourists. Of the 104 voters, 88% voted ‘Yes, while only 12% voted ‘No’.

The Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) is becoming increasingly concerned about the continuing action, which is hampering tourism and business in Ehlanzeni, Mpumalanga.

President of KLCBT, Oupa Pilane, says: “KLCBT notes, with concern, the increase in violent service delivery protests that seem to be taking place every second day in Ehlanzeni. The protests have a huge impact on tourism and business growth as some of our members have not been able to operate and have had their shops looted.”

According to Dean Cherry, Director of Nhongo Safaris and Satsa Vice Chairman – Gauteng Chapter, there has been a significant increase in protest action in both Mpumalanga and Limpopo. The N4 on Tuesday (October 2) was blocked at Hectorspruit with stone throwing going on, says Cherry.

He describes the situation as: “Completely out of hand at the moment, as you just do not know what is going to be next that you are hit with.”

Pilane explained that the areas resembled a war zone and that protestors were wreaking havoc. KLCBT has had reports from its members who cannot get to work and from tourists who are trapped and unable to travel. “This is particularly distressing as tourists are helping to create much-needed jobs in our country,” says Pilane.

The effects of the protests have already reached tourists, according to Cherry, adding: “The large downswing in tourism to the area is mainly due to the negativity of the situation coming out of the region, from people who have been either a victim of who have experienced the situation.”

Speaking on behalf of the Kruger National Park, Isaac Phaahla, South African National Parks (SANParks) Media Specialist, told Tourism Update: “The only impact is the inconvenience to our visitors, but we are fortunate to have several gates and alternative routes. We communicate timeously to our visitors which minimises impact.”

Pilane says the KLCBT has a deep understanding of the seriousness and the impact that a lack of service delivery has in the lives of the local communities: “We are fully behind them, raising their concerns, which are our concerns, and that of our employees.

“However, we strongly condemn all criminal acts in the form of violence, closing roads and making it difficult for tourists to travel, destruction of property and looting, under the guise of ‘service delivery protests’.  It’s worrying that authorities are failing to put an end to the unrests, clearly displaying the incompetence of those who are given the responsibility of serving our communities,” adds Pilane.

According to Cherry, in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, the South African Police Service (SAPS) are completely under resourced, thereby limiting them to what they can do. “We also do not have to look far as to the corruption levels in these areas within SAPS and municipal law enforcement agencies,” he says.

KLCBT has called on all leaders in government to work with all organs of civil society to ensure that any service delivery issues are properly raised and attended to so that damage to the economy and investor confidence can be avoided.

“We want those in leadership positions in government to know that the people come first in everything they do, not their pockets and selfish interests. There is no place for corruption, complacency, cynicism, or excuses,” says Pilane. “We appeal to our people to raise their concerns around service delivery in a non-violent manner.”