Statement by Executive Mayor Dan Plato: condolences/outrage at murder of tourist

On behalf of the City of Cape Town, I wish to express my deepest condolences to the husband, family and friends of a British tourist who was murdered over the weekend (see report). My thoughts and prayers are with you during this extremely difficult time.

I am outraged at this disgraceful, wanton act of violence.

The unnecessary loss of life is a blow to all Capetonians and South Africans and we are all deeply saddened and troubled by it.

An incident such as this tarnishes our City's reputation as a tourist destination and it will have a negative ripple effect which we will all feel. The perpetrators of this act have let us all down, because the immense warmth we have to offer visitors has been overshadowed by their selfish act.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) are the lead law enforcement agency on this matter, but I have instructed our Metro Police to provide SAPS with all the assistance that they may require to speedily close this case. If any members of the community have information, we call upon them to please contact the SAPS Crime-Stop line on 08600 10111, so that justice can be done as swiftly as possible.

Statement issued by Communication Department, City of Cape Town, November 15 2010

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