CRIME, environmental concerns and litter-filled streets were driving tourists and investors away from East London and are ruining the city’s image.
This was the view of several business people and politicians who spoke to the Daily Dispatch following high-profile crime incidents and a major sewage spill.
These included the stabbing last week of prominent lawyer Dali Mpofu near Eastern Beach, the robbery and rape of two Swedish tourists last year in the same vicinity and a major sewage spill at Nahoon Beach recently which saw a national surfing competition moved to Gonubie.
As a result business has raised concerns about the impact of crime and filth around East London and the city’s ability to attract tourists and investors.
Eastern Cape Congress of the People (COPE) leader Sam Kwelita said the issue was as much about the safety of locals as it was about tourists and investors.
“This is about all South Africans because these incidents happened in places where locals go to enjoy themselves. If the police were serious about safety on East London beaches, they would be visible in crime hotspots but they don’t seem to prioritise the issue ,” said Kwelita.
But MEC for safety liaison Helen Sauls-August said the attacks were isolated incidents. “The SAPS do identify problem spots and the whole beachfront is a target. We are in discussions with Buffalo City Metro so law enforcement can be on high alert,” said Sauls-August.
Chairwoman of Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Board Vuyo Zitumane said a Provincial Tourism Forum including the safety liaison department, Buffalo City Metro and public works department had been revived to deal with the implications of crime on tourism.
“The reality is that crime doesn’t help us to promote tourism ,” said Zitumane. “We’ll have to run safety campaigns and give tourists the heads up on no-go areas. We need a robust approach to escalate safety in BCM.”
Following a sewage spill that led to the closure of Nahoon Beach, investors were openly saying Buffalo City is a mess, said Border-Kei Chamber of Business executive director Les Holbrook.
Business consortium East London on the Move said the sewage spill would be felt at Christmas as holidaymakers stayed away.
Holbrook criticised BCM for failing to manage and control sewage spills, despite recently imposing stringent effluent standards and penalties on industry.
“BCM is being very heavy on industry, yet here they are failing in their own services,” he said.
“Every day that a beach closes is a further indictment on our inability to manage and reflects very badly. ”
He linked uncollected trash to the problem of clogged, overloaded sewers.
“Heads must roll – and not those of scapegoats.”
BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi listed five major interventions on the go to upgrade water treatment works and sewers in Zwelitsha, Reeston, Quinera, Mdantsane and the East Bank near Nahoon Point.
Department of economic development and environmental affairs and tourism MEC, Mcebisi Jonas, said his department was working with stakeholders to tackle crime and environmental issues on East London beaches.
Karen Carter, a partner in East London on the Move, said Nahoon Beach could lose its status as one of the city’s greatest assets. — /
Crime, filth jeopardise investment
This was the view of several business people and politicians who spoke to the Daily Dispatch following high-profile crime incidents and a major sewage spill.
These included the stabbing last week of prominent lawyer Dali Mpofu near Eastern Beach, the robbery and rape of two Swedish tourists last year in the same vicinity and a major sewage spill at Nahoon Beach recently which saw a national surfing competition moved to Gonubie.
As a result business has raised concerns about the impact of crime and filth around East London and the city’s ability to attract tourists and investors.
Eastern Cape Congress of the People (COPE) leader Sam Kwelita said the issue was as much about the safety of locals as it was about tourists and investors.
“This is about all South Africans because these incidents happened in places where locals go to enjoy themselves. If the police were serious about safety on East London beaches, they would be visible in crime hotspots but they don’t seem to prioritise the issue ,” said Kwelita.
But MEC for safety liaison Helen Sauls-August said the attacks were isolated incidents. “The SAPS do identify problem spots and the whole beachfront is a target. We are in discussions with Buffalo City Metro so law enforcement can be on high alert,” said Sauls-August.
Chairwoman of Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Board Vuyo Zitumane said a Provincial Tourism Forum including the safety liaison department, Buffalo City Metro and public works department had been revived to deal with the implications of crime on tourism.
“The reality is that crime doesn’t help us to promote tourism ,” said Zitumane. “We’ll have to run safety campaigns and give tourists the heads up on no-go areas. We need a robust approach to escalate safety in BCM.”
Following a sewage spill that led to the closure of Nahoon Beach, investors were openly saying Buffalo City is a mess, said Border-Kei Chamber of Business executive director Les Holbrook.
Business consortium East London on the Move said the sewage spill would be felt at Christmas as holidaymakers stayed away.
Holbrook criticised BCM for failing to manage and control sewage spills, despite recently imposing stringent effluent standards and penalties on industry.
“BCM is being very heavy on industry, yet here they are failing in their own services,” he said.
“Every day that a beach closes is a further indictment on our inability to manage and reflects very badly. ”
He linked uncollected trash to the problem of clogged, overloaded sewers.
“Heads must roll – and not those of scapegoats.”
BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi listed five major interventions on the go to upgrade water treatment works and sewers in Zwelitsha, Reeston, Quinera, Mdantsane and the East Bank near Nahoon Point.
Department of economic development and environmental affairs and tourism MEC, Mcebisi Jonas, said his department was working with stakeholders to tackle crime and environmental issues on East London beaches.
Karen Carter, a partner in East London on the Move, said Nahoon Beach could lose its status as one of the city’s greatest assets. — /
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