26 September 2017

Good Afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

I am joined by the Minister of Tourism Ms Thoko Xasa, the Lt General Gary Kruser, and Ambassador of Kingdom of Netherlands Marisa Gerads.

On the evening of 24 of September 2017, 36 Dutch tourist who were travelling from OR Tambo International Airport were stopped by a SAPS marked vehicle with one man dressed in SAPS uniform and five others in civilian clothing. The armed men robbed the tourists of their personal possessions. Two of the tourists were reported injured and had to be treated by paramedics at this lodge (The Zulu Nyala Country Manor).
We are here as representative of our people to convey our apologies on what has happened to our visitors.

On the 21 of July 2017, I together with other Ministers met at OR Tambo International Airport to increase our security system as the police in order to respond adequately to many ‘follow-home’ crimes that have been impacting negatively in tourism and the country’s economy.

O.R. Tambo International Airport is the biggest and the busiest airport in South Africa. O.R. Tambo International Airport is not only a National Key Point, but also plays a very strategic role in our country. We will continue to improve our security systems to ensure the safety of our people and those who are visiting our country.

OR Tambo International Airport remains the gateway to Africa as well as opens the door to millions of international guests visiting our country annually. Therefore its security is of paramount importance to the South African Police Service, as well as the country as a whole.

I must commend the work that has been done by our team at OR Tambo International Airport under the leadership of Major General Ndaba. We have scored many successes in the recent past, but this incident is a reminder to us to remain vigilant.

It must be understood that tourism plays a very critical role in the Country’s economy as well as providing jobs to many of our young people. This act of criminality we take it seriously, the actions we will take must serve as clear sign that criminality will never be tolerated in our country.

Given the seriousness of what has happened two days ago, I have instructed that a team of senior season detectives forming part of the National Investigation Unit under the leadership of Major General Pitso Ramatsoele to conduct this investigation, trace these suspects and bring them to book.

I thank you.