13th April
2010
written by admin

I guess we can never be too careful – travelling through and holidaying anywhere in Africa comes with a range of challenges, of which crime is always on the list.  Travelling in convoy lowers the risks on the road, but how do you protect yourself inside a resort?  Let me know if you have any ideas or security gadgets that you use by making a comment below the article.

Mozambique to discuss safety of SA tourists

This story from News24.com

Inhambane Map

Inhambane Map

Maputo – Mozambican authorities were expected to meet on Tuesday in Inhambane to discuss tourism safety measures after several attacks on South Africans in the country, a tourism organisation said on Monday.

“Following the recent attacks and robbery of visiting tourists in [the] Inhambane province, his excellency, the governor of Inhambane has called an urgent meeting with all tourism operators,” said the Inhambane Tourism Association.

“We demand that something should be done,” the association’s president Erwin Jakes said.

“This is happening all over. This is nothing new. But it’s new to us, the tourist industry.”

The Inhambane province in southern Mozambique is a popular holiday spot for South Africans with its breathtaking scenery, with diving and surfing opportunities. Many South African tourism agencies also operate in the region.

South African Leon Scott, 51, and his family were attacked and robbed early on Sunday morning while on holiday at a resort in Morrumbene near Inhambane city, The Mercury newspaper reported on Monday.

Two armed men tied up Scott, his wife Vanetia, 44, their two young daughters and two nephews, Victor Khan, 22, and Bevil Mellem, 34.

They also tied up another South African couple and their two daughters, the resort’s South African manager and his wife, workers and security guards. They stole an undisclosed amount of cash, electronic equipment, and a Toyota Land Cruiser. Police later found the car abandoned some distance from Morrumbene.

Last Monday another group of three families were attacked, assaulted and a woman raped in Chissibuca near Xai-Xai, Die Burger newspaper reported.

The modus operandi of the gangs was similar. The men were, however, separated from the women and locked in a bathroom, where the robbers tried to poison them with gas. They then raped one of the women and attempted to rape another.

- SAPA

2 Comments

  1. Helen Large
    02/06/2010

    It is very unfortunate that crime is on the up and upin Moz.

    I used to have a guest house in Chimoio Moz and had many stories of petty crime told to me by my guests. Having lived for 9 years as a single British woman in Moz, who only had her bag stolen once!!! my advice to visitors is :

    1. Try to live with out your valuables…..they you dont need to worry about them.

    2. if you cant live without them, then leave them safely at home if possible, if its not with you they cant steal it.
    always just carry the money you need for the day in your wallet, hide bank cards etc. somewhere safe.
    carry fotocopies of documents and hide originals somewhere safe.

    3. I know it seems silly, but i travel with a false snake called ‘;sidney’ he gets put slightly ‘hidden’ above where valuables are….and so far, no problem….he works a treat!

    4. Avoid mass tourism destinations…..thats where the theft problems are. you rarely find it ‘on the road less travelled’

    with less stress over valuable…..one will enjoy Moz so much more.

    Helen

  2. 02/06/2010

    Some very useful info, thanks Helen.

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