Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and South African police national commissioner General Bheki Cele on Monday urged residents of Gugulethu to help police track down the killers of a young British tourist who was murdered after a hijacking in the Cape Town township on the weekend.
In a joint statement, the two expressed their “shock, sadness and outrage” at the killing of the newly wed 28-year-old woman, who had arrived in the city on honeymoon with her husband last Friday.
“We are saddened to learn about this horrendous and shocking incident. As government, we remain firm that such selfish actions shall not deter us from our determination to keep our society safe from useless scoundrels.
“On behalf of the police leadership, we express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victim and wish the husband strength and comfort during this difficult period of a loss of a loved one.
“We urge the citizens of Gugulethu and surrounding areas, in partnership with the police, to triple their actions in ensuring that these scoundrels are speedily apprehended.”
Western Cape police detectives were using all the resources at their disposal to “speedily bring the perpetrators of this despicable crime to book”.
Police management in the province were overseeing the investigation and keeping the national commissioner updated on progress.
“There are members of the community in the Western Cape who must be aware of the identity of the perpetrators of this barbaric act.
“They should do their civic duty and report any information to the police, albeit anonymously via the Crime Stop telephone number 08600Â 10111 or the Crime Line SMS number 32211.
“Let us rid our communities of murderous scoundrels, for the safety of all,” they said.
Caution visitors
Meanwhile, Cape Town authorities on Monday called on the tourism industry to caution visitors not to enter “unfamiliar areas” of the city, especially at night.
“We are appealing to the tourism industry and the public to be vigilant around tourism safety, and to caution visitors not to enter unfamiliar areas, especially at night,” Cape Town mayoral committee member for economic development and tourism, Felicity Purchase, said in a statement issued by Cape Town Tourism (CTT).
In a separate statement, Cape Town mayor Dan Plato said he was outraged by the killing.
“I am outraged at this disgraceful, wanton act of violence. The unnecessary loss of life is a blow to all Capetonians and South Africans and we are all deeply saddened and troubled by it.
“An incident such as this tarnishes our city’s reputation as a tourist destination, and it will have a negative ripple effect which we will all feel.”
Plato said he had instructed the city’s metro police to supply the police “with all the assistance that they may require to speedily close this case”.
CTT CEO Mariette du Toit-Helmbold called on the public to warn visitors to the city about the dangers of walking its streets after dark.
“We are appealing to the public to extend the hospitality we showed visitors during the World Cup by taking joint responsibility for tourism safety, especially over the next few months.
“Capetonians are asked to assist in warning tourists about the dangers of walking around with obvious valuables on their person, and to steer them away from walking around alone after dark,” she said. — Sapa