The tourism sector has welcomed the taking into custody of three persons of interest in connection with the senseless murder of a German tourist close to the Numbi Gate of the Kruger National Park on Monday, October 3. The 67-year-old tourist, who was driving a vehicle with his wife and another German couple, was gunned down in a botched hijacking attempt in Hazyview, en-route to the Mdluli Safari Lodge. 

Tourism and law enforcement officials have descended on the region in a powerful joint response to the killing, with a manhunt launched for the suspects. Following the visit of Police Minister Bheki Cele on Wednesday, ministry spokesperson, Lirandzu Themba, announced on Twitter that three ‘persons of interest’ had been taken into custody. No further details have been released at this stage.  

In addition to the strong law enforcement presence in Mpumalanga, tourism and conservation organisations, including the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) and South African National Parks, have rallied around the investigative efforts.

“We are encouraged by the taking into custody of three persons of interest, which shows that the SAPS has responded appropriately to the incident. It is now our task to ensure that the safety of tourists and community members along this road is secured,” said Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO of the TBCSA. 

Linda Grimbeek, Chairperson of the KLCBT, which has offered a R50 000 reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects, said the local tourism community had been highly impressed at the swift response to the tragic incident. 

“We are very grateful for the law enforcement response and the response from tourism officials to this tragedy. We are also overwhelmed by the messages of support we have received from the tourism community and from people all over the world,” said Grimbeek. 

Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu will brief the media at 18:00 on Wednesday, from OR Tambo International Airport, where she is meeting with the wife of the murdered tourist and the German couple before they fly back to Germany.