JEFFREYS BAY – Police have intensified their presence in the Kouga region following violent protest action in Ocean View, Jeffreys Bay, which resulted in the arrest of 69 people on 16 July.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, a March and March protest planned in Ocean View turned violent, resulting in the arrest of 69 suspects aged between 18 and 52 on charges of public violence.
She said further arrests are possible as the investigation continues.
“The situation at this stage is still unstable; however, police visibility has been intensified,” said Gantana.
She said the suspects will appear in the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court on 20 July.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata said, “We have bolstered our manpower in the district and are calling on local leaders to address residents so that they can act responsibly and within the bounds of the law. Police will not hesitate to act on lawlessness.”
Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman said on Facebook that, while the municipality believed more could have been done to prevent the criminal acts that followed, it acknowledged and thanked the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Public Order Policing (POP) unit, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), private security companies, Community Policing Forums, neighbourhood watches and all other role players who assisted in responding to the unrest.
He said it was important to recognise that crime prevention and public safety are primarily functions of the national sphere of government.
“As a local municipality, we continue to call on National Government to provide SAPS with the resources, personnel and specialised capacity needed to catch criminals, secure successful convictions and clean up our communities. Residents deserve to live in safe neighbourhoods where the rule of law is upheld, and we will continue advocating for the support required to achieve this,” said Bornman.
He said it was equally important to clarify that Kouga Municipality has no legal authority to approve, organise, regulate or prohibit public marches.
Bornman said that, in terms of the Regulation of Gatherings Act, these matters fall within the mandate of the SAPS and the relevant convenors.
“The municipality therefore played no role in authorising, organising or coordinating the march,” said Bornman.
He said the municipality had been informed that no further marches were currently planned; however, it remained in close contact with SAPS and other relevant stakeholders to monitor the situation.
“Kouga Municipality strongly condemns all acts of criminality, violence, looting and intimidation. Regardless of the concerns that may give rise to public protest, there can be no justification for lawlessness, vigilantism, violence or the destruction of property. Those who engage in criminal conduct must be held fully accountable,” said Bornman.
He said the safety of all residents, business owners and visitors remained the municipality’s priority.
Bornman said the municipality would continue working alongside SAPS, Community Policing Forums, neighbourhood watches, private security companies and all relevant stakeholders to support lawful efforts to restore calm, maintain public order and ensure that those responsible for criminal acts are brought to justice.
“We thank the many residents who acted responsibly during this difficult period and urge everyone to remain calm, reject violence, respect the rule of law and report any criminal activity to SAPS,” said Bornman.
“Kouga Municipality remains committed to working with all spheres of government and our communities to ensure that Kouga remains a safe place to live, work and invest.”
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