Police Minister Bheki Cele to Visit Crime Scene Where German Tourist Was Gunned Down in Mpumalanga

• Police Minister Police Bheki and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola will visit Mpumalanga
• The pair will head to the crime scene where a German tourist was killed near White River on Monday, 3 October
• The South African and German governments and the embassy are working together to ensure justice is served

MPUMALANGA - Minister of Police Bheki Cele and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola are expected to visit the crime scene where a German tourist was shot and killed near White River on Monday, 3 October. Investigations around the killing are ongoing, and Mbombela police are searching for three suspects.

Since the murder, the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism has offered a R50 000 reward for information that can lead to the prosecution of the perpetrators. The tourist was shot and killed while travelling to the Kruger National Park.

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German Ambassador to South Africa Andreas Peschke told eNCA that the embassy is in close contact with local authorities regarding the murder. During an interview, he said:

“People have been aware of security risks wherever you go but also if you go to South Africa there are certain places you need to be very careful. I think there are certain security risks you need to be aware of.”

Peschke said the South African and German governments and the embassy are working to bring the perpetrators to justice. Meanwhile, the SA National Parks (SANParks) confirmed to TimesLIVE that the Kruger National Park’s Numbi Gate is a crime hotspot.

SANParks said the incident was a massive setback for the tourism sector and the country. However, Kruger National Park spokesperson Ike Phaahla said he is confident that law enforcement agencies will apprehend the “heinous criminals” and bring them to book.

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German tourist shot and killed in attempted hijacking near the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga

Mzansi reacts to Bheki Cele’s visit

Many social media users were quick to point out that the minister visits crime scenes without solutions:

@lebzicangal said:

“Damn this guy has been visiting many crime scenes lately but has no plan of action whatsoever.”

@MLANDO60870174 commented:

“What is Bheki Cele going to do at the crime scene, when does this minister have time for his administrative duties, he is always flying all over the show.”

@Ntsika_ka_Zwide wrote:

“This one is wasting money by going up and down this country with no solution to every problem that he’s attending.”

German tourist shot and killed in attempted hijacking near the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga

In a related matter, Briefly News also reported Masoyi police have launched a manhunt following the death of a German tourist on Monday afternoon, 3 October. The deceased man was part of a group of tourists who were headed to Mdluli Safari lodge in White River, near the Kruger National Park.

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Mpumalanga Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the tourists were travelling in a Hyundai H1 on Numbi Road when three armed men driving a VW Caddy accosted them.

According to News24, the armed men tried to force the occupants of the Hyundai to open the doors; however, the driver decided to lock all the doors instead. The driver was then shot in his upper body through a window.

Source: Briefly News