An Open Letter to Riah Phiyega
Dear Mrs Phiyega
We have today experienced yet another farm murder. This time a defenceless 77 year old at 4am in the morning, on his farm near Baltimore in the Ellisras area. Utterly appalling and completely incomprehensible.
To make an already tragic event even worse than normal is the fact that the alarm was raised by American Tourists.
The Tourism Industry spends millions of Rand every month, both here and abroad, to attract foreign tourists to our beautiful country.
It takes hard work, dedication, vision, patience and barrels full of money to compete against the rest of the world's tourist attractions.
One incident like this, however, negates it all. The question is how long must the tax paying, law abiding citizens of this country put up with this rampant crime?
Just to remind you, as you start your new career as Commissioner of Police of the seriousness of the matter here are just a few crimes involving the tourist industry that have made headlines in the last few years.
2009 - The Steyn Couple at their tourist Establishment - near Sabie in Mpumalanga.
2007 - David Rattray at his establishment in Northern Kwazulu Natal
There are many, many others so much so that About.Com rates South Africa 8th in total murders per annum and Emagzin rates South Africa the 5th most dangerous country to tour.
All crime is repugnant. All crime hurts a nation but two of the worst are crimes involving our farming communities and impacting on tourists. They never fail to attract worldwide publicity. We in the tourism industry hope that you, in your new position, enforce a zero tolerance to crime, no matter how trivial.
Only then will we all feel safe in the most beautiful country that belongs to us all.
