German killed in South Africa: Trial against three suspects
In October 2022, four German tourists were brutally attacked in South Africa. One man died, three were injured. The trial against the alleged perpetrators has now begun. The indictment includes charges of murder, attempted murder, illegal weapon and ammunition possession, robbery, and attempted robbery.
Approximately two years after the violent killing of a tourist from Fulda, Germany, in South Africa, the trial against three suspects began. The men, aged between 26 and 39, are charged with murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of weapons and ammunition, robbery, and attempted robbery. They stand trial in the small town of Kabokweni in the northeast of the country, near the Kruger-National Park. The trial is scheduled to last until August 2nd.
According to police reports, on October 3, 2022, the three defendants allegedly attacked a 67-year-old German and three other Germans on their way to a safari lodge in the Kruger-National Park. The tourists refused to get out of the car and locked the doors. One of the suspects, as reported by the police, opened fire on the driver. The 67-year-old died.
The Safari Country South Africa is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa, but it also struggles with a high crime rate. The number of violent crimes in the country with around 61 million inhabitants had risen again in the previous year. According to government figures, more than 7700 people were killed between October and December 2023. The German Foreign Office in Berlin warns against resistance in hijackings, as the perpetrators are often armed.
Following the escalation of violent crimes in South Africa, the country's situation was addressed during an international conference. Representatives from various nations discussed potential processes to enhance safety measures for tourists visiting South Africa.
With the ongoing trial of the suspects in Kabokweni, South Africa, international human rights organizations have called for fair and swift resolution of the case, emphasizing the importance of upholding justice for all foreign nationals within its borders.
