t is with utter shock and dismay, as well as grave concern, that the Hospitality Association of Namibia has learnt of the senseless killings of two innocent women during the past week, the one, a Namibian women active in the tourism trade, (travel agent), and the other, a young visitor to Namibia, both of whom were brutally gunned down.

HAN would like to use this opportunity to express sincere condolences to the families and friends of the two innocent victims.

The Namibian tourism industry is currently already experiencing a clear downtrend in business, and incidents such as the senseless killings of innocent people, particularly, when these are tourists, and the event is being broadcast by media in their home-country and worldwide, will certainly have detrimental effects on tourism in Namibia for years to come.

HAN would thus like to urge its line-Ministry, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Namibian Police, to act immediately, and strongly to show criminals, that the Namibian government, and NOT the criminals, is in control of this beautiful country of ours.

The issue of crime has been at the forefront of media reports, public debate and general discussions for very long now, but it would seem, that so far, only superficial lip-service was being paid to this issue, with no concrete plans of action on how to curb crime in Namibia.

The recent incidents have shown, that Namibia is in need of stronger action and laws against crime, to discourage individuals from resorting to senseless killings, taking human life, in exchange for a simple handbag. We urge government to make this issue a priority, to safeguard Namibia’s image as a safe and unique tourism destination