/ 29 June 2000

MPUMA COPS TRACK HIJACKERS

MPUMALANGA police have identified five suspects in connection with the hijacking of seven foreign tourists near the Kruger National Park in the past week. Acting provincial police commissioner Naphtali Bohlolo said a team of detectives was investigating further to ensure speedy arrests. Provincial police spokesman Inspector Olga Marais said the suspects lived in the Masoyi tribal trust area near the KNP’s Numbi Gate. Police have been patrolling the main roads to the park since last Friday, two days after the first attack on a British tourist and four Irish relatives, to try prevent further attacks. The patrols did not stop the hijackers on Saturday, however, when they attacked a newly wed American couple. Marais said the second attack was unfortunate and explained that the police were unable to be everywhere all the time. Police are patrolling all roads that lead to the Numbi and Kruger gates, particularly roads in tribal trust areas. Park spokesman William Mabasa said the attacks had not affected bookings in the park.