Peaceful Bitou march calls for equal application of the law and stronger community protection

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PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A mass peaceful march took place last week when residents voiced their concerns about the presence and employment of undocumented foreign nationals in the area.

Community members from across Bitou gathered on 30 September and marched from Bossiesgif Circle to the Bitou Municipal Chambers.

The march culminated in the handing over of a petition to the Bitou Municipality, outlining the concerns and demands of those who participated.

The march was organised by the Bitou Man Shield Voluntary Forum, in co-operation with March and March and other participating community structures.

The memorandum raised concerns about crime and community safety, immigration and documentation compliance, labour practices, business compliance, corruption, accountability and the equal application of South African law.

The memorandum was directed to several government and law enforcement structures, including the Department of Employment and Labour, Department of Home Affairs and Immigration Services, SAPS, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the Hawks, SARS, Bitou Municipality and Bitou Law Enforcement.

The organisers emphasised that the march was not directed against any particular nationality, but called for South African law to be applied lawfully, fairly and equally, and for credible complaints to be properly investigated.

Four speakers addressed the gathering on various community concerns. Otto Olivier of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) spoke about crime prevention, while Victoria Rowe, founder and chairperson of Shield GBV Response & Safeguarding Consultancy, addressed gender-based violence and survivor justice.

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She highlighted the importance of proper investigation, identification and follow-through in serious gender-based violence cases, particularly where survivors are awaiting answers.

“A case number is not justice. Proper investigation matters. Proper identification matters. Being able to trace an alleged perpetrator matters,” she said.

The memorandum called for effective policing and investigation of criminal complaints, equal application of the law, meaningful engagement with communities and appropriate feedback from authorities where legally permissible.

Following the handover, the organisers said relevant stakeholders would be given seven days to engage with the concerns raised and indicate meaningful steps forward.

Peaceful marchers gathered in front of the Bitou Municipality on Wednesday 30 September. Photo: Supplied