GEORGE NEWS - A visit to Victoria Bay turned frightening for a mother and her 10-year-old daughter when they encountered people screaming, stones being thrown at vehicles, and a man allegedly carrying a long knife as they tried to leave the beach.
The incident earlier this month on Sunday 11 October is among a growing number of complaints about drinking, disorder and alleged intimidation at the popular George beach, and residents are questioning whether enough is being done to keep visitors safe.
Despite Victoria Bay retaining its Blue Flag status for 2026/27, some visitors say they no longer feel comfortable taking their families there.
The woman, who asked not to be named, reported that people were running and screaming as she tried to leave with her daughter. She said vehicles obstructed the road while stones were thrown at cars, forcing her to manoeuvre past the obstruction with her terrified child.
She also questioned the consistency of security checks at the beach entrance. According to her, a male municipal law enforcement officer thoroughly searched their bags, while other visitors appeared to receive less stringent checks and people carrying alcohol were allowed through.
She alleged that about 10 officers had left shortly after 16:00, despite the beach being extremely busy.
Neighbourhood watch raises alarm
AfriForum Neighbourhood Watch Victoria Bay’s chairperson, Gerhan Archer, described the situation as a serious problem, pointing to discarded alcohol bottles littering parking areas after weekends.
He said neighbourhood watch members had repeatedly responded to incidents involving heavily intoxicated people who subsequently drove away.
In one incident, an intoxicated man allegedly became involved in a physical altercation with his partner before driving off, leaving her and the children behind.
Archer summoned police and traffic authorities and followed the man home, even signalling to officers in a police vehicle with flashing lights, but received no assistance.
He questioned why access control was generally restricted to December, between 08:00 and 17:00.
He alleged that some visitors arrived after 17:00 to drink on the beach, and others buried alcohol in the sand overnight, returning the following day to retrieve it after passing through access control.
Archer also raised concerns about inadequate lighting, suspected drug dealing and sexual activity in the upper parking area, as well as offenders allegedly using the railway line as an escape route. He further mentioned stone-throwing incidents and a previous incident in which a body was allegedly dumped alongside the railway line.
Public frustration grows
Social media complaints describe openly consumed alcohol, broken bottles, inadequate enforcement and deteriorating conditions.
One visitor said they left for Wilderness because they felt unsafe. Others fear Victoria Bay is losing its appeal as a family destination.
Additional concerns reported to George Herald include broken glass, vandalised facilities and speeding vehicles.
On 1 October, the newspaper reported an incident on 22 September in which rocks thrown from the old railway bridge struck a passing vehicle.
Questions have also been raised about limited law enforcement and lifeguard presence on busy days outside the holiday season.
Discarded alcohol bottles litter the Victoria Bay parking area after a busy weekend. Photo: Marguerite van Ginkel
Police report no cases
Southern Cape Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Chris Spies said the incidents raised in George Herald’s enquiry had not been reported to the police.
“No criminal cases were reported at Victoria Bay during the most recent past,” he said.
Spies referred further questions to the local authority but did not address enquiries about visible policing, crime prevention patrols, public drinking or whether current policing arrangements were adequate.
The absence of reported cases does not necessarily mean incidents did not occur.
Municipality responds
George Municipality’s director of community safety and mobility, Lee-Anne Meiring, confirmed that Victoria Bay retained Blue Flag status.
Meiring said the municipality operates a 24-hour shift system, with law enforcement officers available to respond to complaints and by-law infringements outside normal working hours.
However, officers cover the entire municipal area, including all beaches, and cannot remain stationed at one beach throughout a shift. Senior officers allocate resources according to operational priorities.
Meiring advised anyone witnessing violence, threatening behaviour or suspected criminal activity to contact police, who are responsible for criminal offences and maintaining law and order.
She confirmed that festive-season planning had commenced and that an advertisement recruiting additional beach monitors had been placed in the local newspaper.
Bags full of empty alcohol bottles and cans, along with bottles discarded on the ground, were found in the Victoria Bay parking area on Monday 26 October after a busy weekend at the beach. Clean-up operations had already begun earlier that morning. Photo: Marguerite van Ginkel
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