The car that the tourists were travelling in. Image: SAPS
The car that the tourists were travelling in. Image: SAPS
A German tourist has been shot dead in White River, Mpumalanga overnight. The travelling party of four was making its way to Numbi Gate, before they were targeted by a group of hijacking suspects. Sadly, the altercation would prove to be a fatal one.
German tourist killed during botched hijacking in Mpumalanga
The crooks approached the tourists’ vehicle in a VW Caddy. They pulled up next to the driver’s side window, while brandishing a gun. From there, they instructed the visitors to open their doors, in the hope that they could quickly make off with their valuable possessions.
However, the German tourist behind the wheel decided to take his chances, and instead locked the doors in an attempt to escape these thugs. Tragically, one of the gunmen opened fire, sending a bullet through the upper body of the driver.
Mpumalanga hijacking incident ends in tragedy
The vehicle reversed for an approximate distance of 100 metres before crashing into a wall. It’s understood the hijacking suspects then fled the scene, without taking any belongings. A manhunt has since been launched for the criminals behind this violent attack.
- South Africa’s Department of Tourism has issued the following statement on this matter:
[READ] The South African #tourism sector is devastated by the news of the fatal shooting of a German visitor in Mpumalanga. pic.twitter.com/3KY68SEVZ8
— Dept of Tourism (@Tourism_gov_za) October 4, 2022
German tourist murder ‘could harm SA’s economy’
The Mpumalanga SAPS have also been left crestfallen by these developments. Although no arrests have yet been made, officials are working around the clock to catch the perpetrators. Police are also worried about the ‘economic impact’ an attack on tourists can have:
“The police at Masoyi as well as other role players in the Emergency Services were alerted about the murder of a German tourist. A murder case was opened with an immediate launch of a manhunt for the suspects. No one has been arrested as yet.”
“When one has tourists then it means the tourism sector is benefitting and boosting our struggling economy. We call on our good citizens who might have seen or heard anything about these criminals, or the VW Caddy they were driving, to come forward.” | Mpumalanga SAPS
