Another attack on tourists between Wilderness and Victoria Bay has sparked an outcry on social media and concerned locals are wondering what authorities are doing about the issue.

George police communications officer, Capt Nolonwabo Tshengu said the attack on a French couple who were hiking between Wilderness and Victoria Bay, happened on Tuesday. Both victims were taken to Mediclinic George where the man is still in ICU after sustaining stab wounds.

In response to an enquiry, George tourism manager Joan Shaw said that they are aware of the incident, the latest of a number of incidents in the same area in the last three weeks.

Shaw said they had coordinated a successful meeting with various stakeholders, including the Garden Route District Municipality, various departments of George Municipality, provincial authorities, police, SANParks and local ratepayers associations to plan and implement initiatives to enhance tourism safety and security in the area.

The meeting generated collaboration to address the issue, with a number of guesthouses and businesses in Wilderness looking to newly install or upgrade their surveillance cameras.

She added that other measures by the various stakeholders are in the planning phase and will be implemented as soon as possible.

Shaw says it has to be noted that there is no official hiking trail between Wilderness and Victoria Bay and it is important to note that access across the Kaaimans railway bridge is closed off from both sides with clear signage.

She asked that all accommodation establishments in the Wilderness and Victoria Bay areas advise their guests not to attempt walking between the two beaches.

A safety and security brochure will be issued to all accommodation establishments and tourism activity service providers in the entire region indicating the precautions that need to be taken and which areas to avoid.

Please note: Police appeal to the public and tourists to take care. A crime analysis has been done and police patrols will be increased accordingly.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant John Beukes on 044 803 4713 OR Crime Stop on 08600 0111.

More: George Herald