Police have stepped up visible patrols at Sunrise Beach in Muizenberg after multiple robberies in recent weeks.
According to Muizenberg police spokesperson Capt Stephen Knapp, a total of 16 robbery incidents were reported from Friday 1 April to date.
“Visible patrols have been increased and deployment adopted according to our crime pattern analysis,” he said.
Knapp added that in most cases cellphones and jewellery were taken.
“The station commander, Col Vassie Naidoo, and Lt Col Margaret Rossouw are deployed on the beach front on a daily basis to prevent these robberies.”
He added that no serious injuries were incurred during the robberies.
Knapp urged the community to be vigilant when visiting the beach.
“The public is urged to report any suspicious activities or persons noted on the beach,” he said.
“The colonel furthermore requested the community not to carry valuables or jewellery if possible and to always attempt to walk in groups.”
Meanwhile, residents say they have had enough of crime on the beach.
In a social media post on Sunday 3 July Anne Taylor asked for “constructive and actionable ideas” to take back the beach after yet another mugging.
“When my friends were walking on Sunrise (Beach) today, a very upset young woman came running up to tell her she’d been attacked and had her phone stolen.
“What the hell, guys, what can we do to make sure that beautiful stretch of beach remains a safe place for all of us? I haven’t walked there for ages, partly out of fear, but it’s one of my favourite things to do with my dogs. What are some constructive and actionable ideas to take back our beach?”
She added that to abandon public spaces would be a loss.
“I know there have been many warnings and reports of muggings and so on, and one has to be careful . . . but hell, if we can’t walk on the beach, what will be left? Staying away does not solve the problem.”
Commenting on the issue, Graeme Strachan wrote that the quieter the beach the higher the chance of a robbery.
“Nothing will ever be done, all you hear is people giving advice not to go there. Law enforcement and police are just a dream, they don’t exist there. I believe business and community are the only answer, we invite tourists and yet we offer no security.”
Ingrid du Plessis claimed she was one of four women robbed twice by the same suspects. “We were four women mugged by the same two teenagers. We reported it and the police said they would contact us to do photo identification. Never heard from them again, just to get an SMS later saying due to lack of more evidence the case is closed.”
Muizenberg Community Policing Forum chair Derrick Muller told People’s Post there simply was not enough manpower to patrol the area.
“I did speak to Colonel Vassie Naidoo last night (Wednesday 5 July) and we talked about the issue,” he said. “I know for a fact that the City/ law enforcement are the ones supposed to be dealing with the beach muggings because it is their area. However, there are only four law enforcement members and they have to patrol from Fish Hoek to Muizenberg and Strandfontein, which is a large area to cover for four members. It is very difficult.”
Muller added that there was one police officer to 700 people in the Muizenberg policing precinct.
“We are looking at what we can do differently, but we don’t have that number of police officers and that is our problem, we must also remember that police officers are also human beings.”
