While South African Tourism and the Tourism Business Counsel of South Africa (TBCSA) have condemned the death of a German tourist in Mpumalanga, they have also made it clear that tourists are walking bags of money to them.

As reported on News24.com, the German tourist was shot when they resisted 4 men trying to rob them in White River Monday, 3 October, 2022. Full details are in the article about the unfortunate event.

Let’s all get it clear that death is death and in now way does ANY human being approve of it. So when the SAPS and these tourism organisations say that they condemn the attacks on tourists then my response is as follow:

Fucking obviously!!! What is the alternative? You approve of it?

South African Tourism Response

South African Tourism acting CEO Themba Khumalo said:

The protection of all tourists is immensely important to us, and therefore we continue to consult the South African Police Service and all related authorities in this regard.

Themba Khumalo – Acting CEO, South African Tourism

The protection is important because these tourists bring with them money. I am not saying that Themba Khumalo does not care about life, but I am not convinced that the topic of money is not a motivator in their consultations.

I can only imagine the consultation and they are saying:

  • We did some marketing abroad to promote SA as a tourist destination.
  • We got a few bites and will be getting some visitors from abroad.
  • Since our Rand is weak they are going to be bringing lots of money into the country in the form of dollars, euros and pounds.
  • Try to keep them alive please.

The SAPS spokesperson had this to say when interviewed on the event:

This is really cruel and uncalled for, given the economic challenges that our country is facing. When one has tourists, it means the tourism sector is benefitting in a way, which in turn gives a boost to our struggling economy.

Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela – Mpumalanga Police Commissioner

WTF? What the actual fuck?

TBCSA Response

The following is the response that triggered this rage and lead to this posting:

Violence against tourists is equivalent to economic crimes such as stealing copper cables and gold, and something must be done urgently,

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa – TBCSA

He compared the life of a human being to the stealing of copper cables and gold. Read that again and let it settle in for a bit.

I am sorry but WTF Dude!!!

A human being was shot and killed and you call it an economic crime? You are expecting special treatment for tourists because of the value they carry! The SAPS cannot even protect our own South African citizens but let’s make sure we protect the money bags?

The Criminals Respond

They didn’t respond since I do not know them and did not call them for a comment. But I can only imagine their position on the matter and a fictional interview would have gone down something like this.

Joe Diedericks: Mr Criminal, what lead you to target this German tourist in your attack?

Mr Criminal: Well, we were sitting at the pub and saw we were low on cash. So we decided to just go out and rob someone. We saw the car and it looked expensive so we decided they must have money.

Joe Diedericks: So it had nothing to do with the fact that they were tourist?

Mr Criminal: How would I know. The car was expensive, they must have cash. If I knew it was a tourist I would never have done it!

Joe Diedericks: Why not?

Mr Criminal: Because the SAPS, SA Tourism and TBCSAC condemns it! If they didn’t, no problem. But in this case, my bad. Sorry, not sorry.

Final Thoughts

Criminals do not care about whether or not their actions are condemned or not. It simply isn’t part of their though process. It is that mindset that makes it possible for them to operate outside the boundaries of the law. It is not a South African thing, it is a universal rule.

The effectiveness of the SAPS has been called into question on several occasions so that is an ongoing conversation.

What I find offensive is comparing tourist to economic crimes. It is disgusting. And for that I would like to apologise on behalf of South African Tourism to the family and friend of the deceased. Currently the name is not available but that is not needed.

My condolences to your family and friends. This is a great loss and I cannot imagine what you must be going through. I would like to apologise for the people who made these comments and only saw the monetary value your loved one offered South Africa. He was more than that. He was a human being and this is a greater loss than the price tag they applied to his life. I am sorry for your loss.

Joe Diedericks – Human Being.