Enough Is Enough! by Mayor Hattingh Bornman

In the past month, I’ve visited every ward in our municipality to see firsthand the progress we have made and the existing challenges we still face. One issue stands out: the rise in crime, including gangsterism, robberies, abalone poaching, and damage to municipal infrastructure.

Whilst this trend is not unique to Kouga, nor is crime prevention a Local Government responsibility, we are working hard to address this:

– Last year we held a very successful Safety Summit and since established a Safety Forum comprising key role players across the region.

– We’ve recently requested permission to demolish all derelict buildings across our municipality, which are hotspots for criminal activity.

– I’ll also be meeting with public prosecutors to emphasise the seriousness of abalone poaching and to ensure that offenders are brought to justice.

– We have applied to the Department of Justice to establish a Municipal Court in Kouga to deal with smaller issues, so that the Humansdorp Court can prosecute criminals more efficiently.

– A report will be delivered to the Department of Education and SAPS on the rise of gangsterism in some of our schools where urgent interventions are required.

– Our budget for Safety and Security has now tripled in the past three years which will assist us in installing additional CCTV cameras and upgrading our Incident Command Centre, increasing Law Enforcement Officers, Boots on the Ground etc.

Yesterday, we met with the South African Police Services (SAPS) at a local and district level. We understand that they are under-resourced and face many challenges, and that is exactly why we need to work hand-in-hand with them, the anti-gang unit, community police forums, neighbourhood watches, and all residents alike.

We all need to work together to report crime and keep our communities safe.

Enough is enough, and we need to stand together as residents to stop crime and ensure that we can live in a safe space with our families.

Please report any Damage to Municipal Infrastructure: 042 291 0250