Minister Fikile Mbalula visits Dutch tourists who were involved in a robbery incident
The Minister of Police, Mr Fikile Mbalula will this afternoon visit tourists who were victims of robbery when they were traveling from OR Tambo International Airport to Fourways on a Megabus.
The Minister condemns the robbery on foreign tourists and views it as an attack to the tourism industry and the economy.
The 36 tourists were traveling on a megabus when it was allegedly stopped by a SAPS marked vehicle with one man dressed in SAPS uniform and 5 others in civilian clothing. The men allegedly demanded their possessions and one of the tourists was injured and taken to hospital.
“The OR Tambo International Airport is our national key point. We have done a lot of work to improve its safety and capacitate it to respond fast and effectively to safety concerns. More has been done since in preventing and combatting criminal activities at the airport.
The robbery in and around the OR Tambo International Airport is being investigated. Tourism is part of our economic drivers and provider of jobs for the youth, we must work hard in protecting this industry. Part of this is ensuring that our tourist not only feel safe but are safe in our country. I condemn this robbery in the strongest terms and call for harsh punishment on those responsible,” Minister Mbalula said.
The Minister instructed SAPS to investigate the matter. He has been assured that detectives are working with SANRAL and other agencies that may assist the investigation to bring those responsible to book.
The Minister will visit the tourists as follows
Date: 26 September 2017
Time: 15h00
Venue: Zulu Nyala Lodge, 270 Third Road, Chartwell, Fourways
Enquiries:
Vuyo Mhaga
Spokesperson for Police Ministry
Cell: 076 636 5193
