Signage advising about safety precautions when walking on Cape Town’s Noordhoek beach should be investigated following a spate of muggings, according to Western Cape Community Safety MEC, Dan Plato.

Plato’s spokesman, Greg Wagner, denied a report by the South African Press Association (SAPA) that Noordhoek beach will get mugging hotspot warning signs and quad bike patrols.  “No signage has been agreed to at this point. SANParks will need to be involved and we haven’t spoken to them yet.”

“What the Minister was suggesting is that safety information signage be investigated, not warning signs,” Wagner explained.  “The signage could include useful numbers to phone in case of an emergency, details of the nearest police station and precautions about walking alone in isolated areas. Some areas already have this kind of signage, but may need to be updated, others without signage will be considered for new signage. Noordhoek beach is approximately a 10km stretch of beach, which is difficult to police, hence the need for beachgoers to be aware of safety concerns.”

Cape Town Member of the Mayoral Committee: Economic Development & Tourism, Alderman Felicity Purchase, says: “On the one hand, it is important to warn tourists to be vigilant, but it is more important to improve law enforcement.  Quad bike patrols will be a positive step. My concern is that it gives the impression that it is easier to warn than to catch the wrongdoers. Noordhoek beach is one of our prime walking beaches. We should make a concerted effort to provide more security.”

The Cape Times reported that eight people were mugged on the beach since February. In the most recent incident, two local residents – a father and daughter - were attacked by a knife-wielding man on the beach on Saturday. The father was stabbed in the leg and the attacker made off with a cell phone and ring. A suspect was arrested by members of the local Neighbourhood Watch.

Muggings on Noordhoek beach were first reported again in November last year, after muggings had become a common occurrence between 2000 and 2004, resulting in increased policing and a number of arrests. In most cases, thugs with knives hide around the Kakapo shipwreck located on an isolated stretch of the beach, while horse riders are assaulted in the dunes and nearby wetlands. Riders and walkers for many years have been warned to remain in groups and to avoid isolated areas.