By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
The tragic death of a male tourist who reportedly fell to his death at Bourke’s Luck Potholes on Saturday 31 August, was received with great sadness by Mpumalanga MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Makhosazane Masilela.
According to a statement issued by the Department, the deceased tourist slipped and fell from the edge of a rock hanging over the river, which is one of the areas where tourists are not permitted to go.
“ The Department and its Public Entity, the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency(MTPA), is devastated by the passing of one of our tourists who hails from Burgersfort in Limpopo Province. We are shattered because the manner in which the tourist lost his life could have been avoided, if all safety measures were observed to the latter.
“ As government, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. We are keeping them in our prayers, and we hope they will find solace and strength in God during thieve trying times,” said MEC Masilela.
In addition, the MEC said the Department and the MTPA are urging tourists to adhere to safety measures that have been put in place at all Mpumalanga tourist attractions sites to avoid injuries and fatalities.
“ Tourists’ safety is priority number one, hence we have put safety signage in all our tourists attractions sites,” Masilela concluded.
Caption: One of the magnificent views at Bourke’s Luck Potholes where a tourist tragically lost his life
