The need for armed protection at the building in Humewood that houses the Kings Beach Lifesaving Club and the Ward 2 councillor’s office, is at an all-time high, after the premises was hit by multiple break-ins.
According to Ward Councillor Renaldo Gouws, the first break-in at the Kings Beach Lifesaving Club, where his office is also situated, occurred early in April, during the first few weeks of the nationwide lockdown.
Since then, there have been five break-ins at the lifesaving club and one break-in at the ward office, all of which were reported to the Humewood Police Station.
“At the Kings Beach Lifesaving Club, they stole lifesaving equipment, the water tanks and copper piping. At the ward office, they stole the computer and the telephone line has been ripped out,” he said.
Gouws said during each break-in, the burglars damaged a section of the property to gain access.
“During the last break in at the lifesaving club, they went through the roof. When they broke into the ward office, they threw a brick through the sliding door,” said Gouws.
He said the property does have an alarm system, but the municipality had not renewed the armed response contract which had led to the massive increase in break-ins.
Apart from the lack of security at the facility, Gouws said the property had also been targeted due to the decrease in movement in the area during the nationwide lockdown.
Despite informing the municipality about the lack of security on multiple occasions in the last few months, Gouws said he had not received any response.
“It is unfortunate that the plea from the Kings Beach Lifesaving Club is falling on deaf ears.
“As the ward councillor, I have raised this issue time and time again and yet all I have received from the municipality is silence,” said Gouws.
According to municipal spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki, the municipality is aware of the multiple break-ins at the Kings Beach Lifesaving Club and at the ward office.
Mniki said there is currently no security on the premises; following the process of in-sourcing security guards, the municipality is still adjusting its operational plan to cover all sites that need 24/7 security personnel.
“There are plans to place security measures on the premises.
“Discussions between beaches and resorts sub-directorate and security services are in progress,” said Mniki.
“For now, random patrols are being done.
“We do not have a set date as to when security will be placed on the premises, but this matter is a priority.”
