Port Shepstone CBD is being overrun by vagrants, criminal elements, drugs and a lack of law.
Businesses are suffering and the municipality and police are failing to assist the community and the people who pay hefty rates, said a local businessman who is currently relocating to another province.
Businesses, shoppers and employees are living in fear over the rampant criminality in the CBD, which has worsened in the last few weeks with a string of robberies, break-ins and kidnappings. It has become unsafe for shopping and businesses alike. Vagrants around Home Affairs and other government departments demand money from people waiting in queues.
Crime
In a recent incident in the CBD, a Gamalakhe father went missing for three days after he had been kidnapped by an unknown man and found in bushes near Paddock.
An elderly woman who had collected her pension money was robbed by a group of women on Reynolds Street. She said she felt like she was in a daze when the women touched her. “They came up to me like they knew me and hugged me.”
This is not an isolated incident.
It is believed that it is not only ‘paras’ (criminals) that contribute to crime in the CBD but well-dressed gangs who target people, lure them till they black out and then take their banking details and cash.
“Every hour you hear of people being robbed in the CBD. We have lost faith in the police, law enforcement and the courts. There is no protection for the good citizens who visit the CBD,” said one businessman.
A daily visitor to the CBD called on the authorities and businesses to take a stand against crime. “People are suffering, we need our leadership to fix this ongoing problem now. The economy will collapse due to the high crime rate in our town. We need to act now,” he said.
Taxi Council
Chairperson of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in the region, Lizwi Maphumulo said he has a meeting, next Monday, with all the relevant people to come up with a solution. “The municipality should be helping us out with this problem, I am still waiting on them to get back to me as they said the HOD of the relevant department will contact me.” He said they might allocate funds to get security for protection because it won’t be easy getting volunteers but all will be discussed in the meeting next week.
Ward councillor Doug Rawlins said he raised matters in the last Exco meeting. “A resolution was taken that the HOD for Public Safety liaise with all roleplayers and come up with a strategy to eradicate crime in the CBD.”
Port Shepstone Business Forum
CEO Vijay Naidoo said the forum has raised a number of points with Ray Nkonyeni Municipality regarding crime – inadequate policing plans in the CBD and insufficient foot patrols. The municipality needs to enforce the bylaws. With the parking enforcement being outsourced there is no visibility of protection services personnel.”
He also highlighted that too many roadblocks are carried out on the R102 and not enough is being done in the CBD. “Another critical point is that the courts are not prosecuting petty crime, there is no consequences for perpetrators,” said Naidoo.
Business Against Crime
Aadil Moosa, vice-chairperson CPF executive, Port Shepstone Business Against Crime said BAC CPF receives daily reports on petty crime such as bag snatching and , cellphone theft.
“Both BAC and CPF have done many early morning operations to try and resolve part of the problem with security companies and Saps which has yielded positive results. We plan to do many more operations to ensure that we are combatting crime. But the resources available are not enough. The municipality and other roleplayers need to come up with a permanent solution to the many challenges faced. The longer we wait the more crime is being committed, ” said Moola.
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
Spokesperson Simon April said crime has become a social issue and is a concern not only in Port Shepstone CBD but around the district.
“Law enforcement agencies are trying their level best with their limited human resources and unfortunately cannot be everywhere. However there is a plan to deploy more officers in Port Shepstone CBD, especially in the hotspot areas. What is being done is a joint effort by all the agencies and I plead with the public to come to the party as some criminal elements are harboured by some in the public.”
Port Shepstone Saps
The spokesperson, Captain Petros Mpinge said police have started ‘Operation Valazonke’ which is targeting the Port Shepstone CBD, Marburg Business District and other identified hotspots. “Ongoing operations and patrols are being conducted and will be stepped up as the busy festive season approaches.
The public is encouraged to take precautions. The police provides hints and warnings and we encourage all to take note and put it into practice to improve their safety. ”
He added that officers from Port Shepstone and Harry Gwala District Saps held operations at the taxi rank last Friday.
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