A break-in at a Muizenberg beach hut over the weekend has added to a growing crisis for local volunteers.
The break-in, as reported by False Bay Echo, occurred early Saturday morning, 28 June, when a couple from Rocklands, Mitchell’s Plain, broke into one of the iconic beach huts after failing to pry open another.
Muizenberg is reportedly seeing a surge of similar incidents, tied to homelessness, drugs, and security gaps in the area.
Muizenberg beach huts under threat
Angela Gorman, chair of the Friends of the Muizenberg Huts, revealed, as per False Bay Echo, that the intruders smashed through a door and lock before settling in under a plastic sheet for the night. They were discovered the next morning.
Police opened a case after finding a large knife and drugs in the couple’s backpack. The woman reportedly told authorities that a private security guard had given them permission to sleep in the huts. They’ve since appeared in court and were released with a warning into the care of the woman’s father.
Gorman said that homeless shelters weren’t an option due to safety rules and the couple’s circumstances.
“It was our first instinct to try to get them to a shelter,” Gorman said.
“But because they arrived from Mitchell’s Plain with drugs and a weapon, shelters won’t take them – and even if they did, couples are separated due to single-sex sleeping arrangements.” she explained.
Winter break-ins on the rise
This is far from an isolated incident, as Gorman also revealed there have been at least 30 break-ins this winter, not including dozens of attempted ones that still caused damage. The mounting cost of repairs is already at R36 000.
“Our volunteers are constantly replacing doors and locks, only to find more damage the next day. It’s not sustainable.” she said.
Now, the volunteer group is calling for stronger support from the City of Cape Town as well as the community. Their top request: a dedicated hotline or WhatsApp line for beach-area incidents.
Gorman said that Muizenberg is an iconic area that draws global tourists.
“We need to protect both their safety and our local heritage before it’s too late.” she said.
“Break-ins are a problem, but so is the lack of support for people sleeping rough. Both need attention – urgently.” Gorman ended.
What do you think should be done about homelessness in the area?
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