Crime in SA IS a real threat to tourism
09. Jul, 2008
13 Comments
Klerksdorp – Several really negative comments on my article regarding crime in South Africa and especially the mentioning of the Kruger Park being a “crime hotspot” has forced me to reply to these comments and questions.
Firstly, DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER! Naming some of South Africa’s most popular tourism destinations as crime hotspots is NOT unpatriotic or an attempt to undermine the government or any tourism or travel-related business’ efforts to ensure that South Africa stays one of the world’s top tourism destinations. It is, in fact, a harsh reality which cannot be wished away, no matter how hard we try.
Because I’m the editor of a travel website, it doesn’t mean that I should ignore real issues affecting the industry I’m working to promote. Quite the contrary. It doesn’t help ignoring the facts or adopting president Mbeki’s recent stance of “crime in South Africa is just a perception”.
It isn’t. It’s real, it’s affecting everyone in the country and it’s affecting the travel and tourism industry big time. A very recent news report stated that more than 600 restaurants have already fallen victim to armed robberies in a single year. Is that not cause for concern?
I have been criticised for especially mentioning that the Kruger Park is a crime hotspot and my apparent lack of statistics or evidence to qualify this statement. A quick search on the internet only managed to reaffirm my statement – during the past two years there have been more than 20 serious crime incidents in and just outside the Kruger Park which made headlines throughout the world.
The fact that the country is rife with crime also forced several foreign countries to issue travel warnings to their citizens planning trips to South Africa. The one which I think makes the most impact is from New Zealand: “Crime is a serious issue throughout South Africa. Travellers should be vigilant at all times, especially at bus stations, airports (especially the OR Tambo Airport), as organised gangs are known to operate there. In Johannesburg visitors should be especially vigilant in the central business district as muggings and carjackings are prevalent… Caution should be exercised in Pretoria. You should be careful at all times in the city of Durban and by the beachfront. Carjackings are common in this city. Muggings can occur anywhere at any time. If visiting Kruger Park be aware of the danger of carjackings inside the park and those leading into the park. Cape Town visitors who go to Table Mountain should only go in groups to minimise the risk of attack. Those wishing to visit the townships should only do so as part of an organised tour by a reputable company.”
The UK and several other European countries have issued similar warnings.
Am I therefore being unpatriotic and unproudly South African if I worry about the crime trends? Am I being spiteful if I mention it and undertake to publish a full investigation within the next week or two? My main aim with this debate is to try and convince the key role players in travel and tourism, i.e. the government, local government, and the ministries of tourism, that the time to act is now and that whatever efforts they have put into place so far, are not enough. The 2010 Soccer World Cup is looming and even if the structures are completed on time, the visitors will be conspicuous by their absence if the country can’t honestly be punted as a safe destination.
In the Kruger Park, for instance, since this is apparently the most popular destination for foreign tourists and the subject which evoked our readers’ ire this week, more than a hundred illegal immigrants and gun runners are caught inside the park each day. And that’s only a conservative estimate. Who knows how many more slip past the police?
Two police stations have been set up inside the park where 144 police officers have the difficult job of trying to curb all kinds of crime. Yet, despite these valiant efforts, several armed robberies have taken place inside and at different gates of the park. Motorists have been hijacked inside the park and just outside, on their way to their camps. Heavily armed poachers pose life-threatening dangers to tourists and game rangers alike. Just recently, a large car smuggling syndicate was busted by the police. The park is one of the main routes for illegal immigrants who, upon arriving in South Africa, and armed with smuggled weapons, pose a real danger to park visitors and locals eking out a meagre living on the outskirts of the park. And just recently a holidaymaker from the Western Cape was murdered a few kilometres from the park’s fence in Marloth Park.
I am not the only one worried about the effect crime is having on tourism in the country. Important role players in the industry have also voiced their concern. One managing director of a large hotel group – who, by the way, dedicates his life to promoting his country overseas – has admitted to starting to feel disheartened by the events in South Africa, mostly because he has been a victim of crime several times already and knows how high the crime figure is in the industry.
“I attend international trade fairs and when asked by key tour operators if it is safe to visit the country, I have to think fast on my feet and avoid the emotions I have experienced and think of the business opportunities before answering their questions. Hopefully the tourists visiting as a result of one’s efforts are not those targeted at OR Tambo or other tourist attractions.
“I am a loyal South African … I feel passionate about the opportunities in this country and don’t see myself as a ‘victim’, but with all the recent incidents, I am no longer as confident,” he says.
South Africa IS alive with possibilities and I believe that fervently. But one of the world’s greatest holiday destinations is being marred by waves of violence – even though the recent SAPS stats indicate a slight downward trend in some crimes. The truth is out there, however. And the truth is that South Africa’s spiralling crime figures may have already deterred 22 million tourists from visiting the country over the past five years. And that is a frightening thought.
Should we as loyal South Africans not rather work together to kick-start an initiative from government and big business alike to fight the crime? Or should we rather try and ignore the truth and act as if this is Shangri-la we’re living in?
I opt for changing the current scenario and as I’m not a revolutionary, my only weapon in the fight against crime is my keyboard – or pen – which I’m holding on to for dear life. And I made a promise to myself to try and make a difference instead of sitting on the side-line waiting for others to make the first move or criticising those who make an effort.
So, are you with me in this or not? It’s up to you …
Just remember, you have the chance and the choice to make a difference. We’re going to need all the help we can get to make 2010 a success. Our country’s pride is at stake.
Feel free to comment if you like. However, before you criticise, try and offer a workable solution instead.
My name is Muzi Mohale a full-time travel blogger, your host at Travelwires.com responsible for all editorial on this blog. I blog about the travel and tourism industry in Africa. Apart from blogging about tourism, I also run 
It amazes me how people can attack you for showing the real picture. Are they stupid? I was in the tourism business for 7 years and had a web site, which I recently pulled off the Net. I’m fully with you. A number of guesthouses have been targeted by criminals in recent months here in Cape Town. Whenever I’ve addressed other issues relating to tourism, such as bad service or what I perceive as excessively high rates, I get a flood of negative e-mails. My guests are worried about crime, but the regular ones have also noticed a deterioration in roads and facilities and the lack of upkeep of national monuments. So I’m done with all the prima donnas in the tourism business. I still have a foot in the high end of the tourism market where it seems ‘excellence’ is still a motto to live by. Warm regards.
My husband and I are South Africans living in Canada. We recently spent 4 months in South Africa and were lucky enough not to have been victims of crime, although much was happening around us, especially in Johannesburg. However the xenophobia began while we were there, and although it did not affect us, Canada issued a warning to all Canadians not to visit SA.
Just back from Malaysia. What a pleasure not having to live in fear.
Crime in SA is a fact, VIOLENT crime in SA is a fact, crime in SA has got out of hand- fact, and sadly no-one seems to have an answer other than to down-play the problem.
Sadly you are not being negative at all, but only positively realistic, while our ” leaders” live it up and live in denial. It was exactly the same before March 94, where our ” leaders” thought everything was fine, because they were okay. Then as now, SA Tourism, and the economy generally was negatively affected, albeit a different scenario. As they say the only thing we learn from history is that we don`t learn, and also the more things change, the more they stay the same. Our leaders need a serious wake call, and reality check, before it`s to late
I couldnt agree more. As an Englishman living in France, SA is the last place on my list of visits precisely because of all I have read about the violence there. I discourage any of my students from going there.
You will certainly have a whole host of people boycott their visit in 2010 because of this. What will it take for your so called leaders to wake up ? I guess they all have body guards, so they dont feel threatened ………
Your generalisation regarding the Kruger National Park and ignorance regarding the real situation there is astounding! Instead of just doing an internet search, rather go and familiarize yourself with the real facts. You use the situation “just outside” the park to generalise and create a false impression of what is happening inside. You are ignorant of the police situation there, and how security has been handled in the past.
The Kruger National Park is part of S.A. and has been affected by crime. But your sensationalist and ignorant way of talking about it, is totally un called for.
Your statements regarding the Kruger National Park being a crime hotspot are totally untrue!!!!!!!
I am all for reflecting the TRUTH accurately whether it is positive or negative but it is patently obvious that you are applying the realities of crime in surrounding areas of the KNP to the KNP itself.
There have ALKWAYS been police stations in the KNP.
There have ALWAYS been police officers in the KNP.
Your article gives the impression that KNP is a dangerous, crime ridden place…NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!
As a regular visitor to the KNP, I can assure you that your article creates an impression that is far removed from reality…..if it were true, well and good but it simply is not. When last did you visit the Park?? In many camps, you do NOT EVEN HAVE KEYS TO ACCOMODATION!
Yes, ilegal immigrants cross through the Park to reach SA, this has been the case for decades. Yes, certain entrance gates tot he park have been robbed and yes, a car jacking syndicate which was using the KNP as a way to get cars stolen (ELSEWHERE) to Mozambique…THEY WERE CAUGHT.
This is not an attack, but there is no question that the impression created about the KNP in particular is completely at odds with reality.
Please site your references, and in particular, your source of information regarding tourists gettng hijacked “inside” the park.
At this stage, I would say that this particular piece of advice is UNRELIABLE.
Please do not take this as an attack, but realise that those of us who are extremely regular visitors to KNP and are constantly keeping ourselves informed, totally disagree with the notion of publishing false / warped information.
And just another point to add:
Poaching in the KNP has been a problem for 110 years…literally. The anti-poaching unit does a very good job of curbing this ongoing problem. HOWEVER: to state that poachers pose a threat to the lives of visitors is highly sensational!!! You need to understand that poachers rely on not being detected…so they AVOID tourist areas at all costs! The KNP is the size of Switzerland, their activities take place deep in the bush. No tourist has EVER been affected by the activities of poachers (who are frequently caught by the anti poaching unit).
Secondly…. you seem to insinuate that the “100″ illegal immigrants caught daily, are dangerous. I have personally witnessed, on one occasion Zimbabwean immigrants trying to find their way out of the Park…two women, with babies on their backs…..very dangerous indeed. No doubt there are those who are but the vast majority are desperate to find employment in South Africa and risk their lives crossing through the bush to do so, but pose no threat to anybody! how many of the “100″ fall into this category…??? 98% 100%? Please site references. For reliable information you can start by calling the Pafuri police station, in the extreme north of the Park….it has been there for longer than you and I have been alive, Oh and Skukuza Police station as well..also been there since the days the Union Jack fluttered in the Kruger breeze. You could also try the KNP spokesperson. And clearly, a visit to the Park is in order.
I agree with your sentiments about making a difference, wholeheartedly!! And I support you when you say that we should not retreat into blissful ignorance and denial.
But PLEASE, PLEASE believe me when I say that you ARE WRONG about Kruger, not just wrong, but vastly so and you are (unintentionally) guilty of sensationalism. Don’t be surprised that this aspect of the article has “raised the ire” of some readers….because the over 1 Million annual visitors to the KNP KNOW BETTER.
The debate about crime and its impact on tourism is ongoing, not only in SA but elsewhere in the world too. The common theme is official denial (what else could one reasonably expect?), and attempts to make more of a policy than what’s the case. In this regard, look no further than the manipulation of arrival figures to inflate growth of the SA tourism industry.
The challenge is not dwelling on the linkages between crime, tourism and official decreptitude, but to move away from the plaintive cry that governent must solve the problem. All this misplaced trust does is to worsen the sense of helplessness, not to mention deepen our despair. Why not instead channel this anguised energy to develop strategies that deal with whatever problem is faced. Best of all, there are precedents to take heed from!
Yes, crime is a huge problem in South Africa and it must be addressed sooner rather than later but I cannot support your statement about Kruger National Park being a crime hotspot. I visit Kruger at least 5 times per year and we stay in a tent (pole and canvas structure) without a lockable door and I have never encountered crime in any form nor have I ever felt unsafe.
Yes, there is a police force in Kruger, there has always been because there is also a border post. Border post = police. A visible police force should not be portrayed as a negative because that is the first step in crime prevention.
Yes, there had been attacks in Marloth Park but that area is not under the same management as Kruger and they also lack a visible police force. It is not fair to put those instances before the door of Kruger.
Yes, a car hijacking syndicate was apprehended in Kruger because they thought it would be an easier way of getting stolen vehicles across the border which they found was a huge error in judgment. The vehicles were NOT hijacked in Kruger. There has never been a car hijacking in Kruger. Exercise a bit of common sense here: The maximum speed limit is 50km/h and most people do not exceed 30km/h. The roads are constantly being blocked by cars at sightings and are totally impassable for that time. It is not possible for a criminal to race to the gate at top speed.
The only “gun runners†I’m aware of are the poachers. They operate in remote areas and pose very little danger to any visitor. They are after Rhino horn and not your car, camera or handbag. I am not aware of any visitor who has ever had an encounter with these “gun runnersâ€. Even the sad evidence they leave is far away from any visitor eye.
Yes, there are illegal immigrants passing through Kruger. The Kruger National Park is bordered by one of the poorest countries in the world (Mozambique) and these people come to South Africa hoping to find work in order to feed themselves and their families. They are barefooted, hungry with very little clothes on their backs and risk their lives walking through Kruger on foot.
I fully understand and share your concern about crime is South Africa but generalizing and quoting Kruger is not fair. Those guys work hard at and they are doing a heck of a job keeping us all safe.
I just want to emphasize that the arguments against your article have nothing to do with the crime situation in general….
The objections are directly related to the false statement labelling the KNP as a “Notorious Crime Hot Spot”. Sadly, this misinformation tarnishes your entire article and paints it as unreliable.
There is NOTHING “notorious” about the KNP, and to label it a Crime “Hot Spot” is laughable.
I continue to raise this objection as you continue to promote this ridiculous assumption…I agree, naming famous tourist destinations as crime hot spots is NOT unpatriotic……BUT labelling one as such when the exact OPPOSITE is true is irresponsible and unacceptable.
Again, I agree with your views expressed in the article but I FIRMLY object to the false and labelling of the KNP.
The right thing to do is to simply retract the false statements regarding KNP.
Hey, Leoni Benghiat.
How many times have you been to kruger. Come on tell us !!!!!!!!!!
There is a worse “crime” being committed in Kruger Park. Apparently groups of so-called “upmarket, educated” people go on walking trips through Kruger, accompanied by Guides. Heard of incident where few years ago group approached mother rhino and baby. Obviously, god-given instinct to protect baby occurred, and mom rhino charged. Guides shot her dead, in front of baby. One of walkers filmed whole incident, and now boasts and shows photos at dinner parties, etc. How can this be allowed?? These people are no better than common criminals and poachers.