RHEENENDAL NEWS - After more than a year of complaints, warnings and appeals that they say have been met with little more than silence, frustrated Bibbies-hoek residents say they have reached breaking point over the illegal occupation of a house on the Goudveld sector of South African National Parks (SANParks) land.

Community members accuse SANParks of dragging its feet and failing to act with any urgency while crime, intimidation and drug activity linked to the property continue to affect the rural community.

Some residents say their patience has now run out and warn that the lack of decisive intervention is pushing the community to the brink.

"People are fed up," one resident said after a meeting on the matter on Monday 9 March. "If something is not done soon, there is real concern that residents might start taking matters into their own hands."

The house, situated on SAN-Parks property near the Goudveld entrance to the Goudveld section of the Garden Route National Park, has allegedly become what residents describe as a 'tik house' associated with drug use, theft and aggressive behaviour.

Intimidation and theft

Resident Brett Staegemann, who says he has been communicating with park authorities since early 2025, claims the occupants have been involved in several incidents affecting the surrounding community.

According to Staegemann, theft of livestock - particularly chickens and sheep - has been reported multiple times, while residents have also complained about aggressive behaviour and intimidation linked to people frequenting the property. Petty theft, they say, has become a regular occurrence.

In one recent incident, a community member was allegedly assaulted through the window of his vehicle in full view of his family. In another case, one of the occupants was reportedly seen near the Goudveld entrance carrying a panga, raising concerns about the safety of tourists and park staff entering the national park.

Residents also say youngsters in the area are increasingly exposed to drug use, foul language and unruly behaviour from groups who allegedly visit or stay over at the property, particularly over weekends.

"We have been reporting incidents and asking for assistance for more than a year," Staegemann said in correspondence with park officials, adding that residents feel their concerns have not been treated with the urgency the situation demands.

Occupation 'unauthorised'

The structure is believed to have been occupied through unauthorised rental arrangements allegedly linked to a former SANParks employee's son.

About 35 Bibbieshoek residents me ton Monday to discuss the way forward. Photo: Hugo Redelinghuys 

The matter has been raised with several park officials, including regional management and the park manager responsible for the area. Residents say it has also been discussed extensively in emails and WhatsApp correspondence during 2025.

Despite these engagements, they say no concrete plan or timeline for resolving the situation has been communicated.

"We are dealing with what feels like an ostrich-in-the-sand approach," a resident said. "There is no feedback, no visible action and no solution in sight."

Eviction 'legally complex'

SANParks has acknowledged the community's frustration but maintains that the matter must be resolved through legal channels.

In a response issued previously, SANParks regional general manager Victor Mokoena said eviction processes are legally complex and must follow due process. He confirmed that the matter has been referred to SANParks' legal services.

Park management has also indicated that any criminal activity should be reported directly to the police, as law-enforcement matters fall under police jurisdiction.

However, residents say police have indicated that the eviction of illegal occupants remains the responsibility of the landowner.

Environmental risks

Apart from safety concerns, community members also warn that the continued occupation poses environmental risks within the conservation area. Reports of open fires and discarded hypodermic needles in the surrounding veld have raised additional alarm.

Staegemann has since formally escalated the matter to senior SANParks management, requesting clarity on the status of the legal process, possible timelines for eviction and interim measures to protect residents and visitors.

For now, however, Bibbyshoek residents say they remain in the dark.

"Our patience is running out," one resident said. "We cannot keep living next to a problem that everyone knows about, yet nothing is done."

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