The recent spate of attacks on tourists en route to the iconic Kruger National Park has riled up calls from the public for the closure of the Numbi gate.
Picture: Flickr Commons/ Ashley
Located southwest of the national park, Numbi gate has become a hot spot for crime in recent years and most recently, a German tourist was shot dead during a highjacking on this road. Some members of The Kruger National Park’s Facebook page stated that they have been calling for the gate’s closure for some time.
‘I am advocating for more than two years to have Numbi gate closed permanently. The road to Numbi is not safe for a long time now,’ said Peet J V Nieuwenhuizen.
The fatal incident has sparked a debate over the effect of crime on South Africa’s already battling tourism industry. In a media briefing, Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said that government would take measures to ensure a similar incident does not occur, adding that either the road to Numbi Gate would be improved or a new route to the gate would be introduced, reports Daily Maverick.
SANParks Acting Chief Executive Officer, Hapiloe Sello has urged visitors with active and future bookings to use other entrance gates to the Park.
Here is a list of all the alternative entrances to use.
In the south of the park there are five other entrances:
- Paul Kruger
- Phabeni
- Orpen Gates through the R40 from White River; as well as
- Malelane and
- Crocodile Bridge through the N4 toll road towards Komatipoort in Mpumalanga province.
In the north of the Park, visitors can enter through:
- Phalaborwa,
- Punda Maria or
- Pafuri and lastly,
- Giriyondo Border Post allows access directly from Mozambique.
Sello also said with the tourism industry currently in the midst of a post-Covid-19 recovery plan, such incidents undermine the marketing efforts of tourism stakeholders. She has called on law enforcement agencies to leave nothing to chance in bringing the perpetrators to book.
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