Second crackdown on 'votel'

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Just over a week after a crime clean-up of the Plettenberg Bay Signal Hill area, where vagrants and loiterers have been hanging out, another crackdown was necessary.

The Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA), in collaboration with police and Bitou law enforcement, carried out a clean-up operation of the area, including an abandoned building which had been occupied by "vagrants and loiterers" less than two weeks ago.

Plett.Watch's Lisa Nagel said that the neighbourhood watch group and Fidelity ADT carried out a joint drive-through and patrol of Plett's residential areas on Friday 14 May. As part of the operation, members checked the abandoned building, which has been dubbed "votel" (vagrant hotel), on Signal Hill.

"Sadly, even though law enforcement 'raided' the property and removed the vagrants a week and a half ago, it is again occupied and unhygienic. Because the inhabitants also use the surrounding area as their personal ablution block, it poses a health risk to anyone living in the vicinity.

"Signal Hill is one of Plett's iconic tourist sites and it is being destroyed by these vagrants who get away with breaking every law in the book," Nagel said.

Plett.Watch and Fidelity ADT members raided an abandoned building on Signal Hill where vagrants had taken up residence.

It is believed that authorities are working on cleaning up the area around the abandoned building and are considering having it demolished.

Nagel said that during the patrol a number of "dodgy characters" were also asked to return to their homes and properties were checked.

Members of the group also assisted a woman whose house had been burgled following reports by a vigilant resident who had noticed an open door and window and strange noises coming from the house.

Plett.Watch and Fidelity ADT members raided an abandoned building on Signal Hill where vagrants had taken up residence.