Update
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Da Gamaskop Police are investigating a case of robbery after a woman was stabbed and robbed of her phone while she and three young family members were searching for shells on Dias Beach on 27 December.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said that Da Gamaskop Police, Mossel Bay law enforcement, Community in Blue volunteers and local security have beefed up patrols along the beach following the incident.
The victim, Francelle Botes, previously told Mossel Bay Advertiser that she, her 12-year-old daughter and two 20-year-old nieces went in search of pansy shells just after 05:00 that morning when two men came out of the nearby foliage and started following them.
She alleged that the men proceeded to pull out knives and stab her in the arm. In an attempt to stop the attack, Botes said she threw her phone at one of the attackers while one of her nieces threw her phone at the other. The men then disappeared with the cellphones back into the foliage.
Spies said that while the suspects are still at large, the Da Gamaskop Police are investigating a case of robbery and urged anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the two assailants should contact the investigating officer, Constable Jan-Hendrick Els (082 469 7583).
"This is an isolated incident and is being regarded as serious, hence the deployment of additional resources within specific time frames," said Spies.
"We also urge the public to report any suspicious activity or persons to those deployed for the festive period. The safety of visitors and our communities are of utmost importance during this period and the zero tolerance approach embarked on since the launch of the Safer Festive Season operations will be maintained," he said.
However, Mossel Bay residents took to the comments on the Advertiser's initial Facebook post on the incident, saying that the area is a known hotspot for crime and that warning signs should be erected, and more patrols conducted.
The Advertiser previously reported that requests have been made in the past to erect warning signs due to similar incidents in the area.
Mossel Bay Municipality responds
The municipality said it is implementing, within its means, preventative measures to ensure the safety of residents and visitors to the town.
It said CCTV cameras are installed at Blue Waters and Dias Beach and beach patrols are implemented daily as follows:
09:00 and 18:00 at:
• Santos
• De Bakke
• Blues Waters (area adjacent to Dias Beach towards Louis Fourie Road)
• Dias Beach
• Hartenbos
• Little Brak River
• Suiderkruis
• Boggoms Bay
• Dana Bay (1st and 2nd beach)
• Glentana
The municipality said while crime prevention and criminal law enforcement is primarily the mandate of the police, interactive partnerships are in place through the Joint Operation Centre between the police, community policing forums, neighbourhood watch groups and the municipality.
"This unfortunate incident occurred at 05:00 in the morning and the municipality has subsequently engaged with the police to assist with visible policing and crime prevention in the area on a 24-hour basis," said the municipality.
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