The protest action by the local community at the Manyeleti Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga in full view of overseas visitors could deliver another blow to the already struggling tourism industry in the province.
This past weekend, a group of aggressive protesters, who were fighting among each other and damaging property, prevented various tourists, including six Americans, from gaining access to the Manyeleti Nature Reserve. The Manyeleti access point is very close to the Orpen gate of the Kruger National Park.
The protesters are reportedly unhappy about a land claim in the Reserve that has been dragging on for many years.
Employees working at the luxury camps in the Reserve were warned to remain vigilant in order to ensure guests' safety after the protesters allegedly threatened to burn down the camps.
Some of the international guests will most probably not return after their bad experience and video footage of the incident posted on social media will also deter tourists in general from visiting the province.
It is general knowledge that tourism is the industry that was hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, thus, it simply cannot afford to be hampered even further by such irresponsible behaviour.
The FF Plus has asked the provincial MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Vusi Mkhatshwa, to immediately step in and defuse the situation.
;
