AbanganeThemenstarter69 Beiträge · seit 201229. Sept. 2014 · #1Dies dient zur Information. Ich hoffe es ist von Interesse.
FOR: MEDIA
DATE: 29 SEPTEMBER 2014
Kruger Lowveld Tourism (KLT) in association with the Hazyview Chamber of Business and Tourism (HCBT) takes action to curb corruption amongst traffic officers
In the light of the recent sudden increase in cases of roadside bribery and extortion, especially where affecting tourists, steps have been taken to advise the public on the correct line to pursue when faced with a corrupt traffic officer or, in more extreme cases, when faced with threatening behaviour by traffic officials.
Corrupt activity by traffic officers is widespread around Hoedspruit, Acornhoek, Bushbuckridge, Hazyview, Sabie and Graskop and particularly prevalent on the R40 between Hazyview and Hoedspruit, and to a slightly lesser extent on the R537 around Sabie, the R532 between Sabie and Graskop, the R533 between Graskop and Bushbuckridge and the R535 between Graskop and Hazyview.
HCBT took the lead by appointing the region’s first liaison officer, with an office within the police station and resourced and supported to step in and assist tourists with any crime-related issues. “It has been a pioneering step”, says Chris Harvie of HCBT, “but one that has paid dividends for tourism in the region from day one. Hazyview is a much better place for it.”
Member establishments have all agreed to take the precaution of briefing all their arriving guests on the illegality of paying cash to any official. Once this information had been broadcast more widely and tourists began to report back on their experiences more readily, it became clear to how great an extent the corruption had spread. Numerous cases have been reported every day and it was obvious that a more concentrated campaign was necessary.
Under the auspices of and funded by Kruger Lowveld Tourism it was decided to print and distribute cards through our wide membership network, informing tourists of how to deal with corrupt traffic officials, irrespective of whether traffic infringements were real or fictitious. The card reads:
It is strictly illegal to pay cash to a traffic officer or any other official on the roadside. Legitimate fines should be paid at a police station or magistrate's court only, where a receipt must be issued. Road tolls, where applicable, must be paid at official toll plazas only. Should you have any problems or doubts, please present this card to the officer and/or call the following number immediately …….
Telephone numbers include South African Police Services (dedicated contact) and a local contact of the establishment where guests are staying or the car hire company from which a vehicle has been rented.
An e-flyer with the same information has also been designed to forward to all inbound tour operators so that they can insert this into itinerary packs for self-drive visitors and provide coach drivers/guides with the same, in the event of being approached by a corrupt traffic official.
Kruger Lowveld aims to proceed with this pilot project for three months and to distribute the cards in Hazyview, Graskop, Sabie, Hoedpsruit, the Timbavati and the Sabi-Sand. It is anticipated that the initiative will go a long way to reducing the amount of corruption on the roadsides. Any attempts at bribery and extortion will be reported immediately to SAPS and corrupt traffic officers will be disciplined and, where applicable, dismissed.
Lisa Sheard, Chairperson of Kruger Lowveld Tourism praises the assistance received from the South African Police Services (SAPS) in the regard. “We have had swift, efficient and meaningful buy-in from the SAPS to the extent that they have allocated a dedicated, senior SAPS member to this initiative. This also confirms that the authorities are taking tourist safety and security seriously.”
South African Tourism Services Association (SATSA) has been fully informed of this process as it has unfolded. David Frost, SATSA CEO, has heralded this anti-corruption initiative as “ground-breaking and testament to the energy of the tourism industry!”
ENDS
For further enquiries relating to this press release, contact Linda Grimbeek from Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism:
013 755 1988
linda@klcbt.co.za / info@krugerlowveld.com .
Released by:
Kruger Lowveld Tourism
FOR: MEDIA
DATE: 29 SEPTEMBER 2014
Kruger Lowveld Tourism (KLT) in association with the Hazyview Chamber of Business and Tourism (HCBT) takes action to curb corruption amongst traffic officers
In the light of the recent sudden increase in cases of roadside bribery and extortion, especially where affecting tourists, steps have been taken to advise the public on the correct line to pursue when faced with a corrupt traffic officer or, in more extreme cases, when faced with threatening behaviour by traffic officials.
Corrupt activity by traffic officers is widespread around Hoedspruit, Acornhoek, Bushbuckridge, Hazyview, Sabie and Graskop and particularly prevalent on the R40 between Hazyview and Hoedspruit, and to a slightly lesser extent on the R537 around Sabie, the R532 between Sabie and Graskop, the R533 between Graskop and Bushbuckridge and the R535 between Graskop and Hazyview.
HCBT took the lead by appointing the region’s first liaison officer, with an office within the police station and resourced and supported to step in and assist tourists with any crime-related issues. “It has been a pioneering step”, says Chris Harvie of HCBT, “but one that has paid dividends for tourism in the region from day one. Hazyview is a much better place for it.”
Member establishments have all agreed to take the precaution of briefing all their arriving guests on the illegality of paying cash to any official. Once this information had been broadcast more widely and tourists began to report back on their experiences more readily, it became clear to how great an extent the corruption had spread. Numerous cases have been reported every day and it was obvious that a more concentrated campaign was necessary.
Under the auspices of and funded by Kruger Lowveld Tourism it was decided to print and distribute cards through our wide membership network, informing tourists of how to deal with corrupt traffic officials, irrespective of whether traffic infringements were real or fictitious. The card reads:
It is strictly illegal to pay cash to a traffic officer or any other official on the roadside. Legitimate fines should be paid at a police station or magistrate's court only, where a receipt must be issued. Road tolls, where applicable, must be paid at official toll plazas only. Should you have any problems or doubts, please present this card to the officer and/or call the following number immediately …….
Telephone numbers include South African Police Services (dedicated contact) and a local contact of the establishment where guests are staying or the car hire company from which a vehicle has been rented.
An e-flyer with the same information has also been designed to forward to all inbound tour operators so that they can insert this into itinerary packs for self-drive visitors and provide coach drivers/guides with the same, in the event of being approached by a corrupt traffic official.
Kruger Lowveld aims to proceed with this pilot project for three months and to distribute the cards in Hazyview, Graskop, Sabie, Hoedpsruit, the Timbavati and the Sabi-Sand. It is anticipated that the initiative will go a long way to reducing the amount of corruption on the roadsides. Any attempts at bribery and extortion will be reported immediately to SAPS and corrupt traffic officers will be disciplined and, where applicable, dismissed.
Lisa Sheard, Chairperson of Kruger Lowveld Tourism praises the assistance received from the South African Police Services (SAPS) in the regard. “We have had swift, efficient and meaningful buy-in from the SAPS to the extent that they have allocated a dedicated, senior SAPS member to this initiative. This also confirms that the authorities are taking tourist safety and security seriously.”
South African Tourism Services Association (SATSA) has been fully informed of this process as it has unfolded. David Frost, SATSA CEO, has heralded this anti-corruption initiative as “ground-breaking and testament to the energy of the tourism industry!”
ENDS
For further enquiries relating to this press release, contact Linda Grimbeek from Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism:
013 755 1988
linda@klcbt.co.za / info@krugerlowveld.com .
Released by:
Kruger Lowveld Tourism
