DA leader and agriculture minister John Steenhuisen visited Gqeberha’s beachfront on Monday to check on safety as summer and the holiday season nears.
His visit follows a recent increase in violent crime and tourist kidnappings in the Eastern Cape.
Steenhuisen was joined by Eastern Cape DA leaders, including Andrew Whitfield, Yusuf Cassim, and Retief Odendaal. The party wants a special team to protect tourists and restore confidence in local tourism.
Yusuf Cassim, DA Eastern Cape shadow MEC for community safety, said: “We have requested Minister Steenhuisen to raise both these matters with the ministers of police and tourism to ensure urgent intervention as the summer season approaches.
“Ongoing damage to city assets along the beachfront continues to undermine the tourism experience.
“Delayed repairs make safety concerns worse, ultimately affecting the broader tourism industry and associated employment.”
The DA suggests a five-point plan for a safer beachfront in the metro:
- A dedicated beach police unit combining SAPS, metro police, and traffic department officers.
- A 24-hour metro police office on the beachfront.
- More foot and vehicle patrols for increased presence.
- Joint crime prevention efforts with local police, traffic officers, private security, and neighbourhood watches.
- Fixing streetlights and adding 24/7 CCTV cameras linked to a quick-response team.
Police recently warned tourists not to walk alone in isolated areas after an incident on Saturday when a visitor was robbed and stabbed by six men while walking near Happy Valley.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation continues.
Pictured above: DA leader John Steenhuisen with the party’s Eastern Cape leaders in Gqeberha on Monday.
Source: Supplied
