Cape Town authorities on Monday called on the tourism industry to caution visitors not to enter “unfamiliar areas” of the city, especially at night.
This follows the killing of a British tourist at the weekend after she and her husband were hijacked in Gugulethu on Saturday night. The newly-wed couple, who arrived in Cape Town on Friday, were on honeymoon.
“We are appealing to the tourism industry and the public to be vigilant around tourism safety, and to caution visitors not to enter unfamiliar areas, especially at night,” Cape Town mayoral committee member for economic development and tourism, Felicity Purchase, said in a statement issued by Cape Town Tourism (CTT).
In a separate statement, Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato said he was outraged by the killing.
“I am outraged at this disgraceful, wanton act of violence. The unnecessary loss of life is a blow to all Capetonians and South Africans and we are all deeply saddened and troubled by it.
“An incident such as this tarnishes our city’s reputation as a tourist destination, and it will have a negative ripple effect which we will all feel.”
Plato said he had instructed the city’s metro police to supply the SA Police Service “with all the assistance that they may require to speedily close this case”.
CTT CEO Mariette du Toit-Helmbold called on the public to warn visitors to the city about the dangers of walking its streets after dark.
“We are appealing to the public to extend the hospitality we showed visitors during the World Cup by taking joint responsibility for tourism safety, especially over the next few months.
“Capetonians are asked to assist in warning tourists about the dangers of walking around with obvious valuables on their person, and to steer them away from walking around alone after dark,” she said.
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