MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Foreign Tourists Being Targeted in Gqeberha

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With the lifting of travel restrictions, easing of the lockdown and looming end to the State of Disaster Gqeberha has seen a welcome return of tourists to our city. Gqeberha has many events planned attracting foreign tourists back to our city – Ironman, Proteas/Bangladesh Cricket Test, SA Swimming Nationals and SA Hockey Interprovincials to name but a few over the next month or so.

Of course tourists are always concerned about safety and it is well known that a safer city can only be achieved when all urban partners and stakeholders are involved in collective efforts to improve urban safety through crime prevention strategies.

With the return of tourists we have seen an increase in crime against them as our criminals who were on an enforced break from their “jobs” see potential victims returning.

The promotion of urban safety is dependent on multi-sectoral approaches that is aimed at ensuring safety in our communities in order to attract investments. It would be extremely difficult to attract tourists in an area if it remains a hotspot for crimes hence police are urging hotels and guesthouses to create awareness regarding the safety of their guests when visiting our beautiful city.

The SAPS have provided the following tips/hints to anyone travelling to a ‘foreign’ country:

  • Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet in an inside front pocket. It is advisable to wear a money pouch under your clothes.
  • Avoid stopping people in the street to ask for directions.
  • It is better to explore in groups and to stick to well lit, busy areas.
  • Keep your handbag and cellphone with you and don’t leave them unattended.
  • Avoid sightseeing unnecessarily after hours or going to an ATM late at night.
  • Don’t ask strangers to take a group photo, no matter how friendly they may seem.
  • Never accept lifts with strangers.

In the last three months, SAPS Humewood police have noted that tourists (all foreigners) have become victims of crime whereby they are conned by criminals who are specifically targeting them. In all of the cases reported, the modus operandi is similar whereby a tourist is approached either by one or two males who introduces himself/themselves as security officers. The ‘security officer’ will then inform the tourist that he/she is not allowed to park at the spot where the tourist had parked and that they have to pay for the parking space and must also get a ticket. The tourist is taken to an ATM to withdraw the money and that is when the cards are swopped and they are scammed. Exorbitant amounts of cash are withdrawn. Most of the tourists were duped while at Donkin Reserve and taken to the same ATM in Rink Street in Central.

SAPS Humewood detectives are investigating over 7 cases of fraud since January 2022. All of the complainants are tourists visiting from other countries.

Police are urging hotels/guesthouses to alert their guests about these scams and advise them not to entertain any conversation with strangers especially those posing as security guards who coerce them to go to the bank to withdraw money.

Police are calling for the strengthening of partnerships which is important for creating a safer city. In order to achieve this, we need to guard and protect our economy as well as reduce crime. In so doing, we can turn our city into safer spaces, conducive to social and economic stability in support for a safer environment for all.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.