PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Bitou Municipality is investigating reports of misconduct of local law enforcement officers after various complaints had been posted on social media.

One of these complaints was an incident at The Waves beach over the weekend which involved a law enforcement officer allegedly slapping a woman in the face.

It is alleged that the officer approached the woman, who was on the beach with her partner and two sons, and “harassed” the family for being on the beach. The woman allegedly showed the officer her fishing license, but this was “snatched” from her hand by the officer. When the woman reached out to retrieve it, the officer allegedly slapped her in the face.

Acting Bitou municipal manager Ludolph Gericke said that he would deal with the matters with the limited information available to him. He had called an urgent meeting with the senior management of public safety and other stakeholders. The meeting is scheduled for 28 December.

Municipal spokesman Andile Namntu said that a number of complaints regarding the conduct of some Bitou law enforcement officials had recently been posted on social media. “As these complaints have not been brought through the proper channels, they serve little purpose except to add fuel to already heated debates and emotions, thereby damaging the image of both the Bitou Municipality and Plettenberg Bay as a whole,” Namntu said.

He added that the municipality could not act on allegations made on social media. 

“We therefore appeal to members of the public to report any matter of alleged misconduct through the proper channels. It is important to register as much detail (date, time, place, etc.) of the alleged misconduct as possible to allow proper investigation and, if deemed necessary, appropriate action against the implicated officials.”

Namntu further said that it had to be acknowledged that residents and officials were experiencing a very unusual situation. “The municipality is well aware of the extra stress the closure of beaches has had on everybody – this includes both the members of the public (both holidaymakers and permanent residents) as well as the law enforcement officials.”

He explained that the Bitou law enforcement officials were there to assist in enforcing the law. “An appeal is made to the members of the public to respect the fact that the beaches are closed. If that does not happen, it is the duty of the law enforcement officials to act. If people disobey, or attempt to disobey, the regulations, in particular if they flaunt their deliberate disobedience, taunt the law enforcement officials or take their frustrations out on these officials, it will only make it difficult for them to perform their duties, but will also lead to unnecessary tension and conflict.”

Namntu however said that the municipality did not condone any acts of physical aggression and should a law enforcement official be found guilty of such, action will be taken.

“All law enforcement officials have been trained to act in a friendly and courteous manner in executing their mandate of enforcing the law.”

To report matters, phone the municipality's customer care line on 044 501 3175 or send an email to CustomerCare@plett.gov.za

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