Tourism-related crime drops

2003-11-10 15:51

Thandee N’wa Mhangwana

Nelspruit - Tourists to Mpumalanga may feel a little safer knowing that preliminary statistics show a decrease in tourist-related crime across the province.

There is a considerable drop in crime compared to October last year, said spokesperson for the provincial department of safety and security Ntime Skhosana.

"We don’t have the exact figures yet, but there's been a general decrease in all crime across the province," he added.

The drop in tourist-related crime could be attributed to tourism monitors appointed to keep an eye out at popular tourist attractions, said deputy director for tourism policy, safety and infrastructure, Judy Langley.

"There has been a huge reduction in crime in the city centre of Nelspruit and in the province as a whole since the project was started at the end of last year," said Langley, who is based in the provincial department of finance and economic affairs.

Most of the monitors are unemployed youths who will continue to keep watch at tourist attractions over the coming holiday season.

They are also trained to be friendly and provide relevant information to tourists, so that visitors aren't forced to turn to potentially dangerous strangers for assistance.

- African Eye