Key role-players to discuss spate of attacks on tourists

NELSON Mandela Bay security, tourism and police officials are expected to meet today to discuss a spate of recent attacks on tourists.

This follows a string of burglaries over the last four weeks at guest houses and B&Bs in Summestrand, Walmer, Central and Humewood.

Guest house owners appealed last week to police to intensify efforts to find the robbers – suspected to be the same group – who broke into about 20 guest houses around the Bay, mainly in Summerstrand.

In a recent attack, a Brazilian businesswoman woke up in the early hours of the morning to find a robber sitting in her Summerstrand guest house eating a banana.

Atlas Security operations manager Monty Montgomery said yesterday he knew of three more guest house break-ins this week.

“It is a growing concern. Urgent intervention is needed to ensure the culprits are caught,” he said.

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism chief executive Mandlakazi Skefile said it was vital to keep the beachfront safe for visitors.

“By and large, the area is safe, but recently there has been a worrying trend of more crime occurring, particularly in terms of break-ins and ATM scams,” Skefile said.

“There are also continuing concerns about the theft of vehicles and people breaking into parked cars.”

Skefile said role-players would draw up an action plan which needed to be implemented urgently.

Beachfront Safety and Security Forum chairman John Preller will convene the meeting. “I feel this is an urgent meeting needed to find a practical working solution,” he said.

A police spokeswoman said they would only comment about the meeting after it had taken place.

Also expected to attend are Humewood police station commander Brigadier Ronald Koll, Metro Bed and Breakfast Association chairwoman Shena Wilmot and metro economic development, tourism and agriculture executive director Anele Qaba.