During peak holiday season security guards are supposedly doing the rounds - but last weekend, the Rossouws of Kroonstad, vowed never to set foot in the park again, as the popular holiday spot was devoid of guards.
Eden is facing a R500 000 claim from an irate camper, Dr Francois du Toit who was robbed during a burglary on 18 March this year.
Du Toit has done some investigating himself and is sure that municipal staff and a gang of young robbers who sneak into the camp, are in collusion. He says after breaking in, the thieves make a quick escape via the railway line. He has been told that the gang hide their booty in the bushes, and retrieve it once the dust has settled. Dr Du Toit said when he reported the burglary, it was dismissed as an isolated incident and nobody seemed to be actively investigating his complaint nor those of other campers that he has since interviewed.
Slippery thieves
In the December holiday season it becomes impossible to keep the gates permanently locked, say those managing the park. "People move in and out all day long."
It has now become a widespread belief that a gang of young boys styling themselves on Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist character operate under a 'Fagin' boss. Apparently they strike when people let their guard down and go for a swim. Dr Du Toit was also robbed while he and his family were taking a swim. Amongst the stolen possessions were cell phones and a Tag Heuer watch, as well as a diamond ring worth R127 000.
Red cap suspect
An embittered camper, Mrs Johanna Fourie, said she observed how a man wearing a red cap, seated under a tree on the railway line used binoculars to watch campers. She and others believe that he is part of the gang who signal to each other, indicating when the coast is clear. "I later saw the same man in an overall apparently working inside the camp terrain (Eastern camp). I will never set foot in Vic Bay again."
Dr du Toit stated in a letter, that he feels that campers should be warned of the risks they face. He was also unhappy about arrangements to keep the pedestrian gates locked, and failure to issue campers with keys. Fathima Watney who heads up the resorts at Eden, said the theft was reported to the SAPS and the matter is under investigation. "I am therefore unable to comment. The only area that Eden District Municipality is responsible for is the enclosed camping area. The rest of Victoria Bay falls under the jurisdiction of George Municipality and the SAPS."
George Municipality's acting law enforcement chief, Barend Nelson put the responsibility for security squarely on the shoulders of SAPS and Eden District Municipality. Watney said in conclusion: "With reference to the loss of expensive property, the matter has been referred to our insurance brokers and is still sub judice."
A reader suggested that a lock-up facility should be kept at Victoria Bay for both campers and bathers. Municipal Manager Godfrey Louw said via SMS: "We are at the end of our tether and will ask the police to do patrols."
Just rumour
South Cape SAPS spokesperson, Malcolm Poje has denied allegations regarding a gang. "Our detectives and crime analysts are currently looking at crime patterns in the Victoria Bay area. According to the information gathered, certain decisions will be made regarding policing in the area.
"Assumptions that a gang is operating in the area are without grounds.
Several undercover operations have yielded no results. Given the crime situation in the Greater George area, we have found sporadic incidents of opportunistic crime, but no specific tendencies could be pinpointed. The situation is being monitored."
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
Razor wire encloses the Victoria Bay camp site but does not deter thieves, who find their way in.
