This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.
By John Harvey
Plettenberg Bay is experiencing a troubling crime wave with as many as three serious incidents being reported to police and security companies each day.
The Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) - constituting five local security companies - believes the escalation in serious crimes like home attacks and muggings as well as armed robberies on the town's pristine beaches could seriously hurt Plettenberg Bay's reputation as a holiday mecca, should it not be curtailed.
So concerning is the situation that a petition calling for Plettenberg Bay's court to once again become operational after it was closed last year has already obtained more than a 1000 signatures after it was circulated on Tuesday.
Southern Cape police spokesman Malcolm Pojie also confirmed the high incidences of muggings, beach attacks and house break-ins while the owners are at home.
"Even in the high season we had about four to five cases a day, but it is getting worse every day in the low season," PBCPA chairman Andries Trahms said yesterday.
"Just yesterday [Wednesday] we had a case where a couple were attacked by a guy with a knife in their home. What is even worse is that the same guy attacked an elderly lady in Main Street three weeks ago, but he was released."
In another attack on April 2, a man was stabbed on Hoby Beach while walking with his partner, before the suspect fled in their bakkie. This came shortly after a group of foreign tourists were held up and robbed at Poortjies Beach.
"We drew up the petition for the court to be opened again because we need these criminals to be arrested, prosecuted and locked up as soon as possible. At the moment all these cases have to be heard in the Knysna court, and the process is taking too long."
Plettenberg Bay community policing forum vice-chairman Otto Olivier also called for the town to place CCTV cameras in as many areas as possible.
"We have some that have been donated by sponsors, but the most pressing need is for cameras in Main Street, the taxi rank, the Kwanokuthule taxi rank and the corner at Piesang Valley. Very often these criminals commit these offenses and then simply disappear by hopping into a taxi," he said.
"If this continues Plett could lose its reputation as a holiday destination. People from PE or Cape Town might decide they would rather spend their holiday money in a place like Mozambique, which is placing a lot of emphasis on tourism which is making it a lot safer."
Pojie said it was especially concerning that the elderly were being targeted.
"These guys are opportunistic and very brazen, you just can't let your guard down. We are also very concerned that they don't even care whether people are at home when they break in, which presents a very dangerous situation."
