CAPE TOWN-Break-ins and vandalism continue to plague the popular Muizenberg Beach huts after a series of incidents struck the facility last week.
Over 30 break-ins have reportedly occurred at the huts, with most incidents happening in the heart of winter.
In the most recent incident, on Tuesday morning 21 October, one of the huts was broken into while another one was damaged a day earlier after some guests reportedly lit candles inside the cabin.
The huts are managed by the Beach Hut Trust (BHT) which was founded by Angela Gorman in 2020 to restore and protect these City of Cape Town assets.
“The summer season hasn’t even started and it’s going badly already. In the recent break-in, the suspects kicked the hinges in and inside we found 12 empty Heineken bottles plus a big bag full of KFC bones which must have happened last night,” said Tony Maneveld.
In a previous incident, all the cabin locks at the huts were removed on Wednesday 10 September.
“On the Monday night before we noticed graffiti on the walls but we painted over it. The following night we saw how burnt the walls were from the candles that were lit inside. It’s very dangerous as the huts are made of wood,” he said.
The City has noted that their recreation and parks department is aware of the vandalism.
“The City, in collaboration with Save our Beach Huts, tries to manage the security as best as possible, and at present, there is 24-hour security patrolling the Muizenberg Pavilion, Muizenberg Beach, and the entire Surfers Corner, including the huts. Vandalism and theft are major challenges affecting many communities throughout the City. When it occurs in community facilities, it attracts antisocial behaviour and results in fewer recreational facilities for communities with few alternatives. The cost of continuous repair or replacement of damaged assets is unsustainable,” Mayco member for community service and health, Francine Higham, says.
The public are encouraged to report any incidents of vandalism or theft to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by phoning 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline. Prompt reporting allows for faster intervention and supports efforts to maintain safe, welcoming public spaces for all.
