Travellers visiting South Africa should not relax their guard simply because of the success of the World Cup.
Following the car jacking of a newly-wed British couple in a township which led to the bride being murdered, Lebo Mokhesi, the UK’s country manager for South African Tourism, said she thought the success of the football tournament and the low crime that accompanied it may have given visitors an increased sense of security.
However, she urged travellers to keep their wits about them and avoid certain areas like townships late at night., unlike tourists Shrien and Anni Dewani, whodecided to visit the Khayelitsha township on Saturday night where the car jacking began.
Mokhesi said: “People realise you have to be careful wherever you travel, whether it is London, New York or wherever. You have to be wise and not get into a situation like these people got into.
“It might take us a few steps back as there was not a lot of negativity around about South Africa any more. There are not a lot of negative stories (about South Africa), maybe because of the success of the World Cup.”
Ash Sofat, the chief executive of Somak Holidays, agreed travellers to the country must continue to use their common sense when travelling in South Africa, adding: “If you speak to any tour operator we would definitely advise against something like that (visiting a township at night).
“We would advise you go with an established tour operator or ground handling agent who has good experience of conducting tours in the townships, going by yourself even during the day with a cab driver means you’re asking for trouble.”
John Telfer, the operations and product director for Explore, added: “South Africa had a tremendous success with the World Cup. They organised everything well.
“I wouldn’t want to discourage people from going to South Africa or visiting townships as our groups go to townships but in the company of people who know the townships.”
A 26-year-old man has since been arrested by South African police in connection with the murder.