Environmental Affairs Minister Willie Aucamp has extended condolences to the families of two tourists who were stabbed to death in the Kruger National Park, describing the incident as the first of its kind in the park’s 100-year history.
The couple’s bodies were discovered with stab wounds after they went missing. SANParks has stated it will assist with the repatriation of the bodies. A search for the suspects involved is currently underway.
Speaking about the tragedy, Minister Aucamp said: “This is not a good thing that happened. It’s terrible and our hearts go out to the family and the friends of the deceased.” He emphasised that the incident is not the norm for the park.
“This is the first time in the 100-year history of the Kruger National Park that something like this happened,” Aucamp noted. “It should not happen in our country. It should not happen in a place like the Kruger National Park.”
The minister revealed he had personally spoken with the families the previous afternoon. He confirmed that SANParks CEO Mr. Appilo and board members had visited the families. The department will provide full assistance, including making an aeroplane available to transport family members to identify and repatriate the bodies.
The incident occurred at Crook’s Corner, a remote spot where South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe meet. Aucamp speculated — while noting it was under correction — that the perpetrators may have crossed illegally from Mozambique, and that the tourists’ vehicle was apparently taken across the border. He acknowledged the immense challenge of securing the park’s more than two million hectares.
“All our camp gates as well as entrance gates are manned,” he explained, but stressed it is impossible to monitor every single spot. The park employs systems such as the Meerkat system for anti-poaching and thermal cameras in certain areas, but full coverage remains difficult.
Aucamp stressed that the primary concern is the safety of visitors. “Wildlife tend to look after themselves quite well,” he said. Additional security measures are being implemented at far-flung picnic areas and lookout points.
On wildlife protection, the minister highlighted ongoing challenges with rhino poaching, particularly after recent floods that damaged roads and hindered rapid response, despite detection by monitoring systems.
Regarding support for the affected families, Aucamp confirmed close cooperation with the South African Police Service and Mozambique police to apprehend those responsible. “This is such an unnecessary thing. It is not necessary to kill somebody to take a vehicle,” he said.
In a message to potential visitors, the minister acknowledged the shock many would feel but urged continued tourism to the park. “I believe that people that know the Kruger National Park knows how safe it is there… I would urge people to keep on going there. We need eyes and ears on the ground.”
He described the incident as isolated and expressed hope that it would not be repeated. “From Kruger’s side, from my ministry side, we will do everything in our power to guarantee and assist with the safety of our people that visit the park.”
