On Saturday, Limpopo Tourism Agency CEO Sonto Ndlovu said any attack on tourists takes the province back on the strides made with the security cluster in ensuring that all tourists are safe in any place they visit across the picturesque Limpopo province.

"In our recent interaction with the tourism industry we were clear that tourism safety is among the priorities that we have placed on our agenda. We were shocked by the manner of attack, the dispossession and threat to the lives of the tourists, it is unacceptable," said Ndlovu.

The South African Police Service has launched a manhunt for a group of at least three armed men who stormed a holiday house in Phalaborwa and robbed the tourists on Thursday night. 

National Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Khehla Sitole said he was calling for a massive mobilisation to track down the suspects.

Police said the suspects held nine foreign tourists at gunpoint and robbed them of valuables which included a laptop computer, 10 cellphones, jewellery, and over R5000 in cash.

“The suspects fled the scene using the victims rented Mercedes Benz ML which was later found  abandoned in bushes next to Siloque main road, about 10km from the scene.

“The police in Phalaborwa have launched a massive manhunt following the house robbery,” said national police spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo.

The police said a memorandum signed in December calls on police to act decisively with crime against tourists, both foreign and domestic. 

"Among the pledges made was increased police visibility in hotspot areas as well as to train the existing tourist monitors as police reservists, which will help serve as a force multiplier at tourist destinations,” said Sitole.

“We therefore want to make an earnest appeal to the South African society to mobilise against criminals committing these heinous deeds,” said Sitole.

African News Agency