MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Local crime trends, road and vehicle compliance issues, municipal by-laws and neighbourhood watches were all discussed at the latest quarterly meeting of the Mossel Bay Community Safety Forum (CSF) on 21 May.
Held at the Mossel Bay Town Hall by the Mossel Bay Municipality, the meeting saw various stakeholders, from police officers and law enforcement to municipal departments and community representatives, uniting in a renewed commitment to collaborative crime prevention and community well-being.
The municipality said among those to speak were representatives from the police stations in the greater Mossel Bay area: Great Brak River, KwaNonqaba, Mossel Bay and Da Gamaskop. They presented localised crime trends, highlighting both persistent challenges and areas of progress.
“Crime trends were discussed, and two were highlighted in which community vigilance can be the trigger for change. The key concerns emerged during the session: theft from motor vehicles and the ongoing prevalence of gender-based violence [GBV],” said the municipality.
The Da Gamaskop Police raised their concerns specifically about the under-reporting of GBV cases, noting that this significantly hampers the prosecution of offenders.
“The officials stressed that these crimes often occur out of public view, but that neighbours and community members can play a crucial role in reporting incidents and supporting victims.”
Meanwhile, representatives of the Mossel Bay Police Station said negligence remains a leading factor in theft from vehicles, and that they have urged residents not to leave valuables inside parked cars, as this can open the door to opportunistic crime.
The stakeholders at the meeting, particularly the police, acknowledged that community partnerships play a critical role in crime prevention. Recognition was also given to neighbourhood watch groups for their support.
The use of CCTV in Mossel Bay has been vital in the deterrence and investigation of crimes. KwaNonqaba Police Station commended the municipality’s K9 unit on its contribution to crime prevention operations in the area.
As for feedback on municipal operations, Henry Williamson, the municipality’s head of traffic, addressed the ongoing public concerns regarding taxi operations in Mossel Bay. He confirmed that focused interventions are under way to address compliance issues and improve operational standards within the sector.
Superintendent Marko Claassen, responsible for tactical response and by-law enforcement, also spoke to attendees and outlined his unit’s work in addressing illegal structures and enforcing municipal by-laws.
Another speaker at the meeting was a representative of the Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Vuyani Mbaqa, who emphasised the importance of formal accreditation for neighbourhood watch groups. He outlined the province’s broader safety plan, explaining how the department supports municipalities in building integrated safety systems.
Mbaqa noted that funding for community safety initiatives is allocated based on the effectiveness and credibility of structures, rather than distributed uniformly, reinforcing the need for organised and accountable community participation.
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