CAPE TOWN-Break-in’s and vandalism at the popular Muizenberg Beach huts remain an alarming scourge for the property’s managers.
In the latest incident, all the cabin locks at the huts were removed when the facilities were struck again on Wednesday 10 September, said Beach Hut Trust (BHT) member Tony Maneveld.
There have reportedly been over 30 break-ins at the huts with most incidents occurring last month.
The huts are managed by the Beach Hut Trust (BHT), which was founded by Angela Gorman in 2020, and aims to restore and protect these City assets.
“All the locks are missing now but there’s nothing to steal as the huts are empty. Now it costs us money to repair and replace these locks. If I have to make a case for every time they break into the cabins there’d be a folder that would scare everybody. It’s a waste of time, all the other cases get thrown out. The suspects probably grabbed and threw the locks as they ran away,” he says.
BHT found a cabin lock on Muizenberg Beach last week, Maneveld adds.
“The cabins were probably vandalised with a screwdriver or a crowbar as you can see the damage to the locking system. I get more break ins at Surfers Corner than I do down below the beach. It’s tough because we work on donations and don’t get any funding, so now to repair two barrel locks will probably cost us R300 each, new locks R200 each and on top of that it’s the labour and paint,” he says.
The City of Cape Town says the Recreation and Parks Department is aware of the recent incident.
“While unfortunate, these occurrences at the beach huts have become more frequent, particularly during the quieter winter months. After a complete refurbishment of the beach huts in November 2023, all doors were reinstated and the huts are now being used by the public as changing facilities. Since the Save Our Beach Huts initiative took over stewardship of the project, the focus has been on preserving the integrity of the huts and ensuring they remain accessible and functional for beachgoers,” the City explains.
The cabin doors weren’t damaged during the break-in’s, Maneveld says.
“Currently, a team of four security staff patrol the area daily across the Muizenberg Pavilion, Muizenberg Beach, Surfers Corner and the huts themselves. Every effort is made to prevent unauthorised use and further damage, however vandalism and theft remain a persistent challenge. We appeal to the public to play an active role in protecting community facilities. When residents value and take ownership of shared public spaces, it leads to a noticeable reduction in antisocial behaviour and criminal activity,” the City adds.
The public are encouraged to report any incidents of vandalism or theft to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by phoning 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline. Prompt reporting allows for faster intervention and supports efforts to maintain safe, welcoming public spaces for all.
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