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30 October 2019
www.thevillagenews.co.za
FROM THE EDITOR We need to rebuild confidence in our region With the summer season fast approaching, our towns are looking forward to a busy period that will breathe some life into our local economy. We can all lend a hand in this by ensuring that visitors are made to feel welcome and safe. In a country where we cannot hide from crime, it is our responsibility to work together with law enforcement agencies, neighbourhood watches and SAPS to eradicate the cancerous growth of crime. This month saw the publication of a damning report by Johan Brand, Western Cape Police Ombudsman,
on the effectiveness of the SAPS in the Overstrand. It is important, however, to see this report in context. It is a reflection on a national competency (or incompetency) and its mandate – and not on our local officers who are hamstrung by personnel and equipment shortages.
increase in the number of public violence incidents, which increased by some 240% over the last three years in the Overstrand. This, combined with similar incidents over the mountain, has had a significant impact on our tourism numbers and subsequently our economy.
Our local SAPS members, and those who, through neighbourhood watches and other structures, work tirelessly on making our town safer, need to be commended for their hard work.
The good news, however, is that public violence crimes will not go unpunished. Earlier this month saw a man charged with assisting in setting vehicles alight during violent protests in Bot River, sentenced to 5-years' imprisonment.
One of the challenges faced by our tourism industry is a marked
team is at work identifying those responsible for acts of public violence during the Hermanus unrest last year and that the perpetrators will soon be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This is an example that needs to be set to assist in bringing back confidence in the safety of our towns and signalling those looking to destroy our economy that such behaviour will not be tolerated. We need to actively rebuild our image and economy, not burn it to ashes. This is the good NEWS - Ed
SAPS has confirmed that a task
LET’S TALK
A Court of Law should be imposing and clean As the level of funds rises for the painting of the Magistrate’s Court, another argument in favour of this much-needed make-over comes to mind.
be valid until early next year. Should we not reach target it is possible to shrink the size of the project so that only the façade is redecorated.
Courts of Law are institutions that are, and should be, respected by anyone in a law-abiding country, be they ordinary citizens with legal disputes or people who find themselves on the wrong side of the law.
Several offers of paint, the use of scaffolding, ladders and other painting requirements have come in. As we approach the target we will put these people in touch with the contractor, Anton Hartman from Walker Bay Painters, to evaluate any discount those contributions will subtract from the +R91 000.
When they approach the hallowed corridors of the court, they should see before them an imposing, clean and well-kept building that is commensurate with the gravity of the occasion. It is for this reason and the fact that the unkempt Hermanus Court sits on the Main Road at the entrance to the town that it should be cleaned up. Several people have made extremely generous pledges to the project, which means that instead of having to raise R91 321.25 we have to raise only R60 000. This is still a large sum of money but donations of all sizes are coming in thick and fast. The tender of the contractor will
Please be sure to reference your donation clearly with the words ‘Magistrate’s Court’ and, if possible, send confirmation of payment to avism@hermanus.co.za to obviate any confusion in the accounts department of the Cape Whale Coast Tourism’s bank account. The account details are as follows: Absa Current Account Code 632005 Account number 3220143723 Reference: Magistrate’s Court Avis MacIntyre
Nika Oberholzer took this beautiful photograph earlier this month of a sunbird sitting on some fynbos in the Overstrand. Send your photos to taylum@thevillagenews.co.za.
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