Kieran Burke
Police in South Africa are searching for suspects wanted for the killing of a German tourist who was shot dead while traveling to the world renowned Kruger game reserve.
Armed men shot dead a German tourist during a robbery in
South Africa's eastern Mpumalanga province on Monday.
Local police said the man, along with three others from
Germany, had been traveling to the Kruger National Park, a popular tourist
attraction.
Police have opened a murder investigation and launched a
manhunt for the suspects.
What have police said?
The tour group were stopped by armed suspects as they made
their way to Numbi gate in the south western corner of the park.
According to local police chief Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the
attackers demanded the doors of the vehicle be opened, at which point the
driver locked doors.
Mohlala said one of the suspects then shot the man in the
upper body, through the window. The suspects subsequently drove off without
taking anything from the group.
News of the murder has been circulating on social media in
South Africa.
South African tourism boss 'saddened' by attack
The country's Minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu expressed
her sadness at the news of the German man's murder, offering her condolences to
the man's family while calling on law enforcement to act.
"I condemn this murder and robbery in the strongest
terms and call for harsh punishment of those responsible," Sisulu said in
a statement.
The minister pointed out that tourism is among South
Africa's key economic drivers and was seeing a boom in people visiting the
country. Sisulu said she would also be discussing ways of ensuring the safety
of those visiting South Africa.
With its abundance of wildlife and pristine natural beauty,
South Africa is a popular tourist destination and receives many German visitors
each year.
However, the country also has a myriad of challenges, among
them, soaring rates of violent crime. It is widely regarded as having the
highest levels of unemployment in the world and is also the country with the
highest level of wealth inequality.
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