POLICE are investigating a robbery earlier this month on the St Lucia iGwalagwala Trail.
Tourists were held at knife point and robbers made off with their their valuables.
Lt Mpontshane, Communications Officer at St Lucia SAP said while the assailants of this specific crime have not been arrested, a number of vagrants have been removed from the area.
The two suspects in this crime could well be amongst those arrested, however, as the victims have already returned overseas, a positive identification is not possible.
Lt Mpontshane also confirmed that there are a number of vacant dwellings in the immediate area, of which at least one, which lies adjacent to the iGwalagwala Trail, is owned by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park authority.
A police inspection of the area confirmed that the house is indeed uninhabited, however, Lt Mpontshane has been made aware that the iSimangaliso office uses said accommodation to house sub-contractors.
He has contacted the iSimangaliso office regarding his concerns that the vacant dwellings are ideal hideouts for unsavoury characters and, at this time, is awaiting a response.
SAPS, together with Traffic Police, St Lucia’s Town Security and other security companies, continues to treat this incident seriously and has a rock solid contingency plan in place for the festive season.
12 NOVEMBER 2013
St Lucia tourists held at knife point
TOURISTS to St Lucia were held up at knife point on Saturday morning as they attempted to enjoy and photograph the abundant birdlife on St Lucia’s iGwalagwala Trail.
Lt Mpontshane, Communications Officer at the St Lucia Police Station, confirmed on Monday that the young couple was approached by two black males, one thought to be approximately 20 years of age, the other younger, who held them up at knife point and demanded the couple hand over their valuables. Surrendering to the criminals, the couple lost their hire car keys, wallets including money and credit cards, amongst other things. They were, however, uninjured.
No arrests have as yet been made, however, this is an ongoing investigation into which the St Lucia Police is pouring all its resources.
Lt Mpontshane also stated that all security organisations, including SAPS, Traffic Police and St Lucia’s own Town Security, meet on a weekly basis in order to keep safety and security at the forefront of their agendas.
As a result, incidents such as this are few and far between in St Lucia, a town widely considered one of the safest in KZN.
Goodbye st lucia
As far as I know immediate action was taken and two people has been arrested in connection with this matter.
It is rather a case of dumb vs dumber in this scenario. St Lucia has three armed security companies and a Satellite Police Station.
It was a very dumb act of uninformed criminals to target tourist in this area. It is a well known fact that the communities around St Lucia work closely together to ensure the safety of the visitors.
We are all sad that the incident did happen. We wish that criminals would think twice before targeting our visitors.
It is not tolerated at any level and by no one.
Thanks for the update Petrus! I am so sorry this has happened to visitors to St Lucia, it is really disturbing to hear negative press as it does no good for our tourism industry.