Enhanced Security Measures Urged for Gqeberha Beachfront as Crimes Increase

As the year nears its festive peak, heightened concerns around safety at the Gqeberha beachfront have prompted action from significant local bodies. The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, in a proactive approach to community wellbeing, has emphasized the need for reinforced security measures along the bustling beachfront corridor. With the anticipation of increased holiday foot traffic, the measures are deemed critical to safeguard residents and tourists alike.

Acknowledging a notable surge in local crime, the Chamber has issued a compelling appeal to Mayor Gary van Niekerk and Major General Vuyisile Ncata, SAPS District Commissioner, urging a strategic response to the deteriorating safety situation.

Denise van Huyssteen, CEO of the Chamber, has outlined concerted efforts between the Chamber's beachfront cluster, the Beachfront Safety Sector, and the Summerstrand Neighbourhood Watch to tackle key issues. Initiatives include installing surveillance cameras and enhancing lighting in strategic "hotspot" areas to deter criminal activities.

This call for action isn't without precedent. Approximately a year ago, the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMBM) embarked on an initiative to provide 24-hour security along the same stretch, pooling resources from local businesses, tourism entities, and stakeholders. The operation centred on the PE Yacht Club at Hobie Beach, with staff vigilantly monitoring CCTV feeds across the beachfront.

This collective effort saw an injection of R500,000 into the project with the objective of sustaining these heightened security measures for a minimum of one year. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism Specialist, Shaun van Eck, reassures that this Forum remains operational and effective. Security enhancements have been installed in various zones—including Hobie Beach, Something Good, and the S-bend in Summerstrand—sponsored generously by The Boardwalk and the City Lodge Group.

However, challenges persist. Van Eck comments on the routine nature of safety maintenance, highlighting persistent issues such as muggings and scamming that plague the area. These remarks reinforce the continued necessity for such safety measures.

Political entities are not standing idly by. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has developed a five-point plan aimed at bolstering the safety of tourists and locals for the upcoming season. DA spokesperson for Safety and Security, Gustav Rautenbach, notes the urgency of addressing the beachfront's hazards, which include assaults, robberies at knifepoint, and the darkness shrouding the streets due to faulty streetlights.

The DA’s security blueprint articulates immediate actions: the repair of all defective streetlights, illumination for the pier and walkways, and the expansion of metro police, security vehicles, and foot patrols throughout the beachfront.

The coalition of voices from various sectors underscores the universal yearning for a safe, vibrant beachfront that serves as the jewel in the city's tourism crown. As the festive season looms, all eyes are on the concerned authorities to step up and deliver on the community's pleas for a crime-free zone harmonious with Gqeberha's renowned hospitality.