Home » Tourism Minister Pledges Support after Famous Soweto Street Shooting

Tourism Minister Pledges Support after Famous Soweto Street Shooting

South African Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom said he was deeply saddened and disturbed when he heard of the fatal robbery at the popular Sakhumzi restaurant in Soweto at the weekend; and Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba paid the restaurant a visit today.  A manager died on Saturday night after an attempted robbery at the popular […]

By SAPeople
31-01-17 19:25
in Eish!

South African Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom said he was deeply saddened and disturbed when he heard of the fatal robbery at the popular Sakhumzi restaurant in Soweto at the weekend; and Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba paid the restaurant a visit today. 

Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba (left) visited the restaurant today. Source: FB/Sakhumzi Restaurant

A manager died on Saturday night after an attempted robbery at the popular restaurant. According to Sakhumzie, “we closed at 12 pm and at about 1 am that morning, men stormed in and shot one of the managers while attempting to make out with money.”

Today, after the visit from the mayor, the restaurant said: “We would like to extend a warm hand of gratitude to Johannesburg Mayor Executive Mayor Cllr Herman Mashaba who paid us a visit today to offer condolences and pledge to support Vilakazi Street with surveillance cameras. Thank you baba, umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu (A person is a person because of people).”

Tourism Minister Hanekom said today: “This has come as a big shock to the community of Vilakazi Street, and to the tourism industry. I would like to express my condolences to the family of Mr Kwezi Hudson on their loss, and to the owner Mr Sakhumzi Maqubela.

“Vilakazi Street has enormous significance for our country and for the world. The families of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu lived here. Vilakazi Street is the home of our liberation struggle leaders and Nobel Prize laureates. It has become an iconic magnet for tourists from across South Africa and the world.

“It is essential that the community around Vilakazi Street, tourism business owners and our visitors are safe in this precinct.

Vilakazi Street. Photo: Jayne Zakheim

He said the Department of Tourism will work together with provincial and local authorities, the community and businesses in the area to enhance safety in the vibrant precinct and promote further development.  

Safety is a priority for South Africa’s tourism industry as crime is a deterrent for international visitors. Ten days ago an American couple in their 60s, holidaying in SA, had their car hijacked between Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage, when they stopped to take photos. The couple was forced to drive to a bushy area near Motherwell Township where they were robbed and left tied up in the bushes.

Sources: Tourism.gov.za, FB/SakhumziSA