Hon Chairperson, last week the Sunday Times reported that Cape Town, our most premier tourist destination was identified as possibly becoming the world's most dangerous city. Furthermore, tourism in the Ugu District Municipality has been stifling due to the current drought it is experiencing. How does South Africa expect to encourage tourism when crime rates and the lack of adequate water planning and management have been spiraling out of control?
With the 1,5 million jobs and the R425,8 billion rand contributed to the economy in 2018, the tourism sector makes up 8,6% of the country's economic activity as well making our country the largest tourism economy on the continent. It is obvious that tourism is of paramount importance to our growth and economic development. The tourism sector alone contributes significantly to job creation as well as generating a significant increase in our gross domestic product, GDP. The
tourism sector needs to not only be properly managed but nurtured and safeguarded to ensure its economic viability and continued growth.
South Africa has a disastrous crime record and yet the government has the responsibility to ensure the safety of tourists when our people are not safe. Our murder rates in 20l8 increased by 7% around the country which sets South Africa at 57 murders per day and rapes increasing to 40 035 cases a year, that does not include the murders and rapes that go unreported. How many tourists want to visit South Africa with these statistics when there is a high chance for them to fall victim to these violent crimes?
The ANC politicians and Ministers cannot assure other governments of safety of their citizens visiting South Africa as they do not even have a handle on crime in South Africa. We have been accustomed to seeing the link between party politicians, political violence and gang-related crimes amongst others. This lack of guidance can even be seen in President Ramaphosa's
prioritises, safe communities and social cohesion but does not go on to explain how he seeks to achieve this.
The IFP is the only party that can provide leadership in this regard and we recommended that government must implement violence prevention programmes such as those recommended by the Moerane Commission. The performance of SA Police Service, Saps, needs to be thorough and significantly improved with a priority on the safety of citizens and tourists in order to encourage the tourism sector that contributes so vitally to our GDP. If you cannot ensure the safety of your own communities and people, why would South Africa even be considered a worthwhile tourist destination?
As crime continues to plague our communities, the nightmare of no power and no water continues for many South Africans. According to Johannesburg Water, load shedding has a disastrous impact on water supply as their pumps, which utilise electricity, are severely hampered in performing their function to pump water. This is not only limited to Johannesburg as it could take place throughout the country with Ugu, Jozini,
uMzinyathi and Zululand are facing huge water shortages. The lack of planning to ensure both power and water must simply be seen as a crime against the state.
The impact of having no water or running of water restrictions condemns the community to realise a loss of jobs, income, poverty and loss of tourism. Minister, we want to know, what plans and strategies you have in place to work with your colleagues and Ministers in the Department of Justice, Police, Water and Sanitation, Public Works, Mineral Resources and Energy and Environment, Forestry and Fisheries to specifically negate the issues of crime and water shortages for the strategic development of the tourism sector. In fact, Minister, your colleagues in the Cabinet are causing a "shibobo" for you, as your department and its success are dependent on their co- operation. The IFP do support this Budget Vote. [Time expired.]