Date: 25/09/2019 – In the wake of the horrific events which have taken place at the Hluleka Nature Reserve in the past week, the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency offers its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of Crouch and Turner and sends well wishes for speedy recovery of Mr. Turner. The Agency is cooperating closely with the SAPS and other agencies to bring closure to this tragic event.
Threats to the safety and security of visitors at the Hluleka Nature Reserve as well as to the security of personal belongings in this reserve is something that will not be tolerated. Nature reserves are places in which visitors expect a peaceful and tranquil experience and the recent events have seriously undermined the traditional goodwill, warm Eastern Cape hospitality and the friendly nature of the ‘Adventure Province’.
It is important to note that tourism in the Eastern Cape is an important driver of positive economic growth, development, and supports many community jobs and upliftment programmes. With such a unique and diverse tourism offering across the Province, such threats to personal safety impose serious damage to the friendly and welcoming image of the province and it would a tragedy if visitors, be they domestic or international, would regard the entire province to be ‘unsafe’.
As such, the provincial government of the Eastern Cape, together with the private sector, are collaborating to protect, preserve and sustain the tourism industry and to protect jobs and livelihoods. The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA), together with various tourism, safety and security stakeholders, is committed to working tirelessly to safeguard the province’s many and diverse tourist destinations.
The ECPTA, throughout all its reserves, has put measures in place, stepped up security and has its rangers patrolling. Despite these increased measures, visitors are to remain vigilant and to exercise appropriate caution. While increased security steps are being put in place, everything is being done to bring the perpetrators of the Hluleka Nature Reserve incident to book. The ECPTA and the family members of the victims continue to work closely with the SAPS and law enforcement.
Issued by:
Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency
oyanga.ngalika@ecpta.co.za
Tel: 043 492 0713/079 891 8624
