Update

KNYSNA NEWS - A growing public safety crisis at the entrance to the Goudveld Nature Reserve has resulted in Bibbieshoek residents demanding immediate accountability from South African National Parks (SANParks).

Homeowners in the Rheenendal area allege that a property owned and managed by the conservation body has been overtaken by criminal elements, transforming a quiet eco-tourism hub into a flashpoint of violence and intimidation.

According to local sources, an illegal drug dwelling has operated openly on the SANParks-owned land for several months. Despite community interventions and formal eviction notices, residents state the situation has deteriorated to the point where targeted attacks are made on local community members and their property.

Retaliation

The friction reached a critical peak after a community meeting held early in March to address the illegal settlement. Residents report a swift and calculated campaign of retaliation. On 6 March, a resident's German shepherd was poisoned. 

Seven weeks later, on 24 April - immediately following the serving of an eviction notice to the occupants - a second dog was poisoned. 

The animal, a highly trained Dutch shepherd used for search-and-rescue operations in Knysna, survived thanks to intensive veterinary care but remains medically boarded.

The crisis escalated further on 9 May when a third neighbourhood dog, a Belgian Malinois, was targeted. Medical toxicology screens later confirmed the animal was suffering from severe amphetamine toxicity. Due to the severity of the poisoning, the dog had to be euthanised.

'Dereliction of duty'

"This isn't just a localised drug issue; it is a fundamental failure of property management," stated an angry resident who spoke on condition of anonymity. 

"We are dealing with a catastrophic, inexcusable dereliction of duty by an organisation mandated by law to manage this land and safeguard the perimeter. The community is being forced to live under siege because a state entity refuses to police its own backyard."

Compounding the community's frustration was the failure of a highly anticipated eviction scheduled for 10 May. Instead of seeing the property cleared, terrified residents witnessed the occupants openly roaming the Bibbieshoek thoroughfare armed with pangas.

This followed previous reports of an armed individual entering the homestead of SANParks' own reserve manager, and an incident where a long-term local homeowner was physically assaulted through his vehicle window.

Legal responsibility

Community groups argue that SANParks has consistently attempted to reframe the crisis as a policing or social services matter, shifting accountability away from its role as the primary landlord.

"The house sits directly on SANParks land, making the occupants either their tenants or illegal trespassers," noted another highly frustrated resident. "Either way, it remains SANParks' legal and moral responsibility to secure the area. Their total inaction has given these perpetrators a sense of absolute impunity."

With community patience exhausted, residents are demanding clear timelines regarding when the eviction will be lawfully enforced and what steps will be taken to restore safety to the vital tourism and residential corridor.

SANParks was approached for comment regarding the failed eviction and the security threat on its property. At the time of publication, no response had been received.

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