JEFFREYS BAY – Multiple community organisations and the Kouga Municipality in the Eastern Cape have come together to create a relaxed, family-friendly holiday atmosphere in the central business district (CBD) of Jeffreys Bay, where many popular restaurants and shops are located, during the upcoming festive season.
The organisations, which include Kouga Community Safety Forum, Safer J-Bay Community Forum, C-Place and CBD Neighbourhood Watch and Jeffreys Bay Tourism, emphasised that Jeffreys Bay is a favoured tourist destination, and the town is committed to ensuring that families and visitors can enjoy the beach, the surf and a variety of holiday events.
The municipality and local businesses are striving to promote Jeffreys Bay as a premier holiday destination, leading to positive word-of-mouth, increased investment, and job creation for residents.
However, these efforts face challenges related to beggars, illegal car guards wearing unmarked reflective jackets, vulnerable children and unemployed youth, particularly in the CBD.
“These individuals often beg from and harass tourists, shoppers, and restaurant patrons, disrupting the experience for those trying to enjoy a meal or visit the area,” said the organisations collectively.
To tackle these socio-economic challenges, Jeffreys Bay Tourism and the Kouga Community Safety Forum have collaborated with the municipality.
Together, they aim to ensure that the festive season is a peaceful and crime-free time for visitors and holidaymakers.
Finding a balanced solution that addresses the severe socio-economic issues faced by children while ensuring lawful intervention is challenging.
According to the organisations, many of these children come from communities affected by unemployment and poverty, making them vulnerable to exploitation.
These organisations acknowledge that the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Municipal Law Enforcement, despite their limited resources, are managing the situation in collaboration with the Kouga Community Safety Forum, Safer J-Bay, private security companies, and the CBD neighbourhood watch.
The Kouga Community Safety Forum recognises the presence of beggars and underage children in the CBD who are involved in begging and other illicit activities.
They emphasise that the situation is a complex social issue that does not have a straightforward, one-size-fits-all solution.
The Kouga Community Safety Forum suggests that these activities could potentially be managed through existing municipal by-laws; however, implementing such regulations is complicated and requires a coordinated effort from various stakeholders.
Lucas Deport, vice-chairperson of the Kouga Community Safety Forum, urged the community to refrain from giving money or food, especially items that can be resold, to beggars and wandering children.
“What may seem like an act of kindness can inadvertently undermine initiatives aimed at addressing the situation and worsening the already challenging social circumstances by providing money for alcohol and drugs,” said Deport.
Various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Jeffreys Bay are actively working to tackle the socio-economic challenges in the CBD.
Pastor Mercy Cwayi, director of On Eagle’s Wings Multi-Purpose Centre, stated that they provide psychosocial support services to families in distress, as many vulnerable children come from troubled homes.
She expressed a desire to establish a facility where these children can be housed, rehabilitated and educated.
Victim Support trauma counsellor, Nolan Barendse, reported that there are over 50 children in the CBD who are not attending school, with many parents unable to exert control over them.
He noted that these children frequently engage in drug use and gangsterism, and often carry weapons. “These children need to be in school for a better future,” said Barendse.
He encouraged visitors and holidaymakers to support local welfare organisations with monetary donations, food and clothing, instead of giving directly to individuals on the street.
One practical suggestion from community organisations is to install clear signage in the CBD discouraging begging and public handouts, directing children instead to social welfare organisations where they can receive proper assistance.
Since Jeffreys Bay’s economy depends on tourism, Jeffreys Bay Tourism emphasised the importance of collaboration among the municipality, law enforcement, businesses and community organisations to maintain safety, dignity and order in the Jeffreys Bay CBD.
In a statement, Jeffreys Bay Tourism said, “We cannot allow a situation where tourists are discouraged by crime and choose to stay away from this top-quality holiday destination.”
The SAPS has referred questions to the municipality since the matter deals with municipal by-laws.
Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, confirmed that Municipal Law Enforcement is under-resourced; however, every effort is being made to optimise the use of available resources to ensure that the CBD remains a safe and orderly environment.
He said that regular joint operations are conducted in collaboration with SAPS, Neighbourhood Watch and private security companies, to strengthen visibility and address manpower shortages.
Regarding begging and illegal car guarding in the CBD, Bornman said that no individual is permitted to solicit money, beg, or perform any form of work within the municipal jurisdiction without prior written authorisation from Kouga Local Municipality.
“Two officers are deployed per eight-hour shift in the CBD area, supported by additional Boots on the Ground members to enhance visibility and response,” said Bornman.
He said that some of the constraints that are preventing more effective intervention are the public assisting children begging on the streets, illegal car guards and their animals, which continue to undermine enforcement efforts.
Bornman further said that feeding or financially supporting these individuals perpetuates the problem and discourages compliance.
“Signage discouraging members of the public from giving money or food to beggars and illegal car guards will be installed in key areas,” said Bornman.
“We request that local businesses and residents assist by informing their patrons and staff not to feed or give money to illegal car guards and beggars, as this hinders enforcement and contributes to the persistence of the issue.”
To increase visibility during the upcoming festive season, Bornman said that a 24-hour Law Enforcement service will be maintained through three eight-hour shifts, supported by a permanent Law Enforcement Officer stationed at the main beach to provide rapid response when required.
He further said that the Safer J-Bay Group, a collaborative partnership that brings together SAPS, Municipal Law Enforcement, security companies and neighbourhood watches, to combat crime and improve safety across the town, will continue to operate.
Bornman said that cases involving child beggars fall under the jurisdiction of Social Services and SAPS, while Municipal Law Enforcement acts in accordance with the Roads and Traffic Bylaw when addressing illegal car guards and related infringements.
“Despite ongoing joint operations and the daily confiscation of illegal car guard jackets by SAPS, Law Enforcement, Neighbourhood Watch, and private security companies, enforcement efforts are being undermined by some business owners who continue to feed and pay illegal car guards. This ongoing support contributes to the continuation of the problem and hampers efforts to restore order in the CBD,” said Bornman.
He said that although crime prevention remains the mandate of the SAPS, the municipality is committed to supporting these efforts and continues to allocate additional resources to assist in this regard.
For more information, contact organisations helping those in need, including On Eagle’s Wings at 083 641 8250, Joshua Project at 071 472 0844, One Village at 083 382 5043, and Ladies Lighthouse at 071 925 7076.
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