Cape beach muggings prompt safety strategy

Muizenberg’s ward councillor plans to meet law enforcement to discuss a strategy to deal with criminals following another attack at Sunrise Beach.

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Cape Town -

Muizenberg ward councillor Dave D’Alton plans to meet police and law enforcement this week to discuss a strategy to deal with criminals following another attack at Sunrise Beach.

Two women were robbed near Sunrise Circle on Friday by three youngsters who ran into the dunes.

D’Alton said he requested the City of Cape Town to put up signs warning beach walkers of the potential danger, but this had not been done.

There have been a spate of attacks in recent years, usually by youngsters carrying large knives.

D’Alton said it had stopped for a while but now appeared to be escalating.

“Even people walking dogs are being attacked.”

Captain Stephen Knapp, Muizenberg police station’s spokesman, helped the local neighbourhood watch search for the three youths following the incident, but they could not be found.

There have also been several complaints of groups of youngsters aged between 7 and about 16 who operate between Capricorn and Muizenberg, aggressively targeting people for money. They are usually armed with sticks and broken bottles and hurl abuse and stones when not given money.

The youngsters often congregate near the Zandvlei outlet bridge near the law enforcement offices.

Police spokeswoman Constable Noloyiso Rwexana said they were investigating a case of robbery involving eight juveniles.

“Three of the juveniles are still in custody while five were released on a warning,” she said.

JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security, said the law enforcement department had not previously received complaints of children begging or harassing people in this area, but they would increase their visibility in the area.

Sihle Ngobese, the spokesman for Social Development MEC Albert Fritz, said the matter had not been reported to their department’s Metro South regional office.

However, last week, when they heard about it, a team was dispatched to carry out an assessment.

“The children were not found, and so we have liaised with law enforcement officers in the area.”

Ngobese said the department would work with Muizenberg police, who had information on the children, and would intervene.

helen.bamford@inl.co.za

Cape Argus