Strengthening and enhancement of security measures at hotels, lodges and other tourist destinations should always be a priority for owners and managers as failure to do so could have far reaching consequences for tourism in the province, this is according to Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe.
Shongwe was speaking after a group of about 100 learners and their three teachers from Gauteng province’s Laersrkool Hennopspark in Pretoria were robbed of their belongings at gun point while at Aan De Vliet Resort and Guest House in Hazyview yesterday 4 October 2013.The learners were reportedly on a Christian Outreach.
The MEC, who has condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms, has called on lodge owners and managers to always ensure that their establishments are secured. He said they needed to work with the police and other security agencies to secure visitors.
“Although I believe that the incident may have been a freak accident, I am appealing to lodge owners to work closely with the police and other security agencies in order to ensure that such heinous acts are not repeated elsewhere,” Shongwe said.
He has further called on the police to ensure that perpetrators are urgently brought to book as the incident has a potential to dent tourism in the province.
He has also pleaded with community members who may have information that may assist with the solving of the case or the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward and report to the police.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Cell: 082 678 1450
