Crime surge crisis for Wild Coast

Concern as murder rate rockets

THE shocking deaths of two tourists and a Dwesa Nature Reserve park ranger, as well as a cash-in-transit shootout in Port St Johns in the past four months have put the spotlight on crime along the Wild Coast.

Crime stats taken from nine police stations servicing areas of the Wild Coast paint a grim picture.

Figures show the total number of murders has increased by 35% over the past four years. The figures were taken from the following stations: Centane, Willowvale, Elliotdale, Coffee Bay, Mqanduli, Ngqeleni, Libode, Port St Johns and Lusikisiki. They reveal that: ý In the 2009-10 period, the total number of murders recorded at all nine stations was 363;

ý In the 2010-11 period there were 364 murders;

ý In 2011-12 the figure increased to 426; and

ý In 2012-13 period 489 murders occurred.

In the latter period, Centane recorded 76 murders, Willowvale 68, Elliotdale 26, Coffee Bay five, Mqanduli 30, Ngqeleni 64, Libode 62, Port St Johns 49 and Lusikisiki 109.

The area extends from Kei Mouth in the south to Port Edward in the north and for about 10-20km inland.

Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency chief executive Luxolo Rubushe said the Wild Coast had previously had a reputation for being unsafe for tourists. “This was turned around through a concerted effort by all stakeholders in the tourism industry, including the municipalities and government. We believe this can be done again.”

A contributing factor to crime was a lack of meaningful work, said conservationist and author John Costello. “There’s no development and you’ve got this great big labour force with the majority sitting without jobs,” he said.

“There is very little law and order and police and emergency services are far away. The erosion of traditional tribal authority, specially among the youth who no longer respect their elders or traditional leaders, has also played a role.”

Eastern Cape police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills said the increase in the number of murders could be attributed to the abuse of alcohol and drugs. Mills said circumcision ceremonies also had an impact on the crime rate.

“However, arrests have been made and the suspects have appeared in court and the cases are continuing.”

With regard to attacks on tourists, Mills said police experienced a high number of cases being dropped because foreign tourists were often reluctant to return to the country to give evidence in court.