Tag: garden route

Call for Increased Patrols at Garden Route Dam After Latest Attack

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The FF Plus is urgently calling on the police and George municipal law enforcement services to immediately increase visibility and patrols at the Garden Route Dam.

The dam is a popular recreational area where residents and visitors walk, jog and cycle. The latest incident, in which a 22-year-old woman was approached from behind and grabbed around the neck while walking alone to her vehicle, highlights the serious safety risks in the area.

Several incidents in recent times indicate that the current level of visibility is insufficient. The FF Plus is requesting increased patrols at the dam and along the surrounding routes, and that all incidents continue to be reported so that crime patterns can be identified and addressed.

However, the solution cannot be for people to stay away from the dam out of fear. When residents avoid public spaces, it becomes easier for criminals to take control of them.

Visitors are instead encouraged to act responsibly, move in groups where possible and remain vigilant.

"Tourism is an important pillar of George’s economy and supports numerous businesses and jobs. The town cannot afford for a valuable tourism and recreational area to develop a reputation for being unsafe," the FF Plus said in a statement.

The political party is calling on all stakeholders to work together to make the Garden Route Dam safer, so that residents and visitors can enjoy it with greater peace of mind.

Photo by Wessel Van Heerden Photography

Two Men Arrested in Connection With Former Knysna Mayor’s Murder

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Two men have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder following the fatal shooting of Knysna councillor and former mayor Aubrey Tsengwa.

Western Cape police said the suspects, aged 39 and 46, were arrested on Saturday by a multidisciplinary team comprising Serious Violent Crime detectives, Crime Intelligence, local police, the Combat Team and the drone unit.

The arrests form part of the ongoing investigation into Wednesday evening’s shooting, which left Tsengwa dead and three other people wounded.

Police said the suspects were charged after being questioned by investigators. Two vehicles, three firearms and several cellular phones have also been seized as part of the investigation.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 24 August 2026.

The investigation continues as police search for additional suspects and work to establish the motive behind the shooting.

Knysna police have registered cases of murder and three counts of attempted murder in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, Visit Knysna and the greater Knysna tourism sector extend their sincere condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the recent isolated fatal shooting incidents in the community.

Knysna Municipality Local Economic Development & Tourism Manager, Ms Lungiswa Goya, said: “We recognise the concern these incidents have caused and acknowledge the seriousness of the situation. The incidents are being investigated by the South African Police Service, and we are working closely with the municipality and relevant authorities to monitor the situation.”

“We want to reassure visitors that Knysna remains open and welcoming. Tourism businesses, accommodation establishments, restaurants and attractions continue to operate. As a united destination, we remain committed to supporting our community, prioritising the wellbeing of our visitors, and ensuring that accurate and reliable information is shared.”

Greater Knysna Business Chamber Tourism Pillar Chairperson, Ms Elmay Bouwer, added: “As with any destination, visitors are encouraged to exercise normal safety awareness, remain vigilant and follow standard travel precautions. It is important to place this tragic event in context. It was an isolated incident and does not reflect the experience of Knysna as a tourism destination and there is no indication that visitors or tourism establishments are at risk because of the incident.

“Knysna remains a welcoming, vibrant and much-loved destination, and visitors can continue to enjoy its beaches, forests, lagoon, restaurants, accommodation establishments and outdoor experiences.”


Two Men Shot Dead in Knysna After Tsengwa Murder

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Western Cape Serious Violent Crime detectives have launched a manhunt for the gunmen responsible for a shooting that claimed the lives of two men in Knysna on Thursday evening, just a day after former Knysna executive mayor and ANC Ward 8 councillor Aubrey Tsengwa was shot and killed in the town.

According to preliminary information, the two victims, aged 47 and 48, were in a vehicle in Bongani at about 21:00 on Thursday when unidentified gunmen opened fire.

The latest shooting follows the murder of Tsengwa in Ngxalo Street, Joodsekamp, at approximately 21:20 on Wednesday, 19 August.

Police have opened a murder case and three cases of attempted murder following that attack. Tsengwa was reportedly travelling home with three other people when an unidentified gunman approached the vehicle and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

Tsengwa, who was driving at the time, sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene. The three other occupants were injured and taken to a medical facility for treatment.

The Provincial Serious Violent Crime detective team, which was already investigating Tsengwa's murder, has since been reinforced, with additional detectives deployed to investigate both shootings.

Police have not yet established the motives for either attack and are investigating whether the two shootings are linked.
No arrests have been made, with detectives continuing to follow up on all available leads.

Tsengwa served as executive mayor of Knysna from August 2022 until February 2025. He was removed from office following a successful motion of no confidence. He returned to the Knysna Municipal Council in June 2025 after being elected as the ANC's Ward 8 councillor in a by-election.

Tributes have since begun pouring in following his death.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigations is urged to contact SAPS Sergeant Nobuntu Thundezwa on 082 522 1251, contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submit information anonymously through the MySAPS mobile application.

Western Cape Government brings Rental Housing Tribunal services closer to Garden Route residents

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht

The Western Cape Government has expanded access to rental housing support in the Garden Route with the launch of two new Rental Housing Tribunal offices in George and Oudtshoorn.

Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers officially launched the offices on Monday, 17 August, bringing the number of local, free and professional rental housing advisory and dispute-resolution services in the Southern Cape to four.

The new offices mean residents no longer need to travel hundreds of kilometres to Cape Town to access administrative justice and assistance with rental-related disputes.

Operating under the Rental Housing Act, the offices will provide tenants and landlords with guidance on their rights and responsibilities, face-to-face advice, early dispute-resolution support and formal referrals to the Western Cape Rental Housing Tribunal.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Simmers said the initiative is aimed at making government services more accessible while promoting a fair, transparent and stable rental market.

“Today is about much more than opening government offices. It is about bringing government closer to the people.”

The expansion comes as rapid economic and population growth in the Garden Route continues to drive demand for well-regulated rental housing. The new offices will help communities better understand their rights and responsibilities, resolve disputes earlier and support safe, lawful and dignified living conditions.

The George and Oudtshoorn offices complement the fully operational Rental Housing Tribunal office in Mossel Bay and the recently launched office in Bitou, further strengthening access to rental housing services across the region.

Minister Simmers stressed that the Tribunal’s role is not to favour either landlords or tenants, but to ensure a balanced rental environment.

“Responsible property owners must feel secure in their investments, while tenants must be treated with dignity and fairness.”

The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure says it will continue working to decentralise advisory and dispute-resolution services across municipalities, bringing government support closer to communities while strengthening housing stability and access to justice for both landlords and tenants.

Oudtshoorn power outage enters fourth day as Eskom revises restoration time

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The power outage affecting parts of Oudtshoorn has entered its fourth day, with Eskom revising its estimated restoration time to approximately 18:00 on Tuesday, 18 August.

Eskom said further complex technical problems were encountered during restoration work, requiring additional repairs before the network can be safely energised.

“The safety of Eskom employees and affected communities remains paramount,” the utility said.

Technical teams remain on site and are working to resolve the issues and restore electricity as soon as it is safe to do so.

Eskom has apologised to affected residents for the prolonged outage and repeated changes to the restoration estimates.

“We sincerely apologise for the continued outage and the inconvenience caused. We understand the frustration caused by the interruption and changing restoration estimates,” Eskom said.

The utility said it will continue providing updates as restoration work progresses.

Customers can contact Eskom via the MyEskom Customer app, Alfred Chatbot or the Eskom Contact Centre on 08600 37566.

Garden Route Environmental Crisis: Invasive Alien Plants Among the Worst in South Africa

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The Garden Route is facing an environmental crisis of alarming proportions, with the region’s invasive alien plant problem described as “among the worst in the country” by veteran environmental manager Dr Guy Preston.

Preston recently visited the Garden Route following the region’s extreme weather events and assessed environmental conditions on the ground.

“After seeing conditions on the ground, Preston expressed deep concern at the extent of invasive alien plants (IAPs), describing their prevalence in the Garden Route as among the worst in the country,” said Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).

Preston’s assessment carries significant weight. He is widely recognised for his role in establishing and driving South Africa’s internationally acclaimed invasive alien plant control programmes, including Working for Water, Working for Wetlands and Working on Fire, during his tenure as Director of Natural Resource Management Programmes in the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs.

At their peak, these programmes had combined budgets running into billions of rand and created thousands of jobs while restoring ecosystems and tackling invasive species.

During his Garden Route tour, Preston highlighted the serious risks posed by the unchecked spread of invasive vegetation. The threat extends far beyond the displacement of indigenous plants and loss of biodiversity.

Dense stands of invasive alien vegetation create significant amounts of combustible biomass, increasing the risk of intense and destructive wildfires. Invasive species can also outcompete indigenous vegetation, disrupt natural ecosystems and undermine biodiversity.

Water security is another major concern. Invasive alien plants can consume substantial quantities of water, particularly in catchments, potentially affecting streamflow and reducing water availability for both ecosystems and communities.

Preston also raised concerns about the degradation of rivers, wetlands and other natural infrastructure. Healthy catchments and functioning river systems are essential to the Garden Route’s ecological resilience, yet widespread invasive plant infestations are placing these systems under increasing pressure.

For the Garden Route, Preston’s assessment represents a stark wake-up call.

The region’s forests, rivers, wetlands, mountains and coastal ecosystems are among its greatest natural assets, but their long-term resilience cannot be taken for granted.

His visit highlighted the urgent need for coordinated, sustained action involving national and local government, municipalities, landowners, conservation organisations and communities.

The success of Working for Water demonstrated what can be achieved when invasive alien plants are treated as a major environmental and economic priority. GREF believes these lessons should inform a renewed and properly resourced effort to control invasive species and restore the Garden Route’s ecosystems before the environmental and economic costs of inaction become even greater.

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental managers and serves as a climate-change think tank.

Photo: Cobus Meiring, Chairperson of the Garden Route Environmental Forum, with Dr Guy Preston.

Oudtshoorn enters 3rd day of no electricity

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Oudtshoorn residents facing a prolonged electricity outage have been told they may have to wait until Monday afternoon for power to be restored, with frustration mounting on social media.

Oudtshoorn residents facing a prolonged electricity outage have been told they may have to wait until Monday afternoon for power to be restored, with frustration mounting on social media.

Eskom has extended the estimated restoration time for the Oudtshoorn power outage after technical teams encountered delays during repair work.

In its latest update issued on Sunday, 16 August 2026, Eskom said the restoration of electricity supply had been delayed due to the complexity of the work being carried out.

The estimated restoration time has now been moved to approximately 14:00 on Monday, 17 August 2026.

The outage has left residents without electricity for an extended period, with the disruption affecting households in Oudtshoorn and surrounding areas.

Eskom said its technical teams remain committed to restoring electricity supply as safely and efficiently as possible.

The prolonged outage has sparked anger and concern among residents, particularly those worried about food spoiling and vulnerable people being left without electricity.

One frustrated resident wrote on social media: “And so you just keep moving the time later and later! There are people whose food is going to spoil! And there are elderly people sitting completely alone in their homes! Absolutely heartbreaking!”

The latest extension has added to growing frustration among residents who have already endured a lengthy interruption to their electricity supply.

Eskom apologised to affected customers for the continued outage and the inconvenience caused, while thanking residents for their patience, understanding and cooperation.

Customers can contact Eskom through the MyEskom Customer App, the Alfred Chatbot, or the Eskom Contact Centre on 08600 37566.

Residents are advised to continue monitoring official updates from Eskom and the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality for further information about the restoration of power.

N2 Near Knysna Reopens After Crash Claims Two Lives

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Both lanes of the N2 near Knysna in the Western Cape have reopened to traffic following a serious crash that claimed two lives.

The road was closed in both directions after a collision between a truck and an SUV near the Knysna Lagoon.

The two occupants of the SUV were declared dead at the scene, while the truck driver sustained serious injuries.

Authorities are continuing efforts to remove the truck from the lagoon. The Garden Route District Municipality, SANParks and the Knysna Fire Services are also working to contain a diesel spill in the lagoon.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Photos: Supplied

R310,000 Worth of Dagga Seized in Prince Albert Bus Operation

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
SAPS members in the Central Karoo have arrested a 50-year-old woman after dagga worth an estimated R310,000 was discovered aboard a passenger bus in Prince Albert.

The arrest followed a vehicle checkpoint conducted by the Central Karoo Flying Squad along Prince Albert Road at about 06:55 on Saturday, 8 August 2026.

Police stopped and searched a passenger bus, where they discovered a suitcase containing 38.70kg of dagga. The drugs were positively linked to the woman, who was arrested on a charge of dealing in drugs.

She is expected to appear in the Prince Albert Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 11 August 2026.

More than 660 litres of liquor seized

Meanwhile, police operations in the Garden Route District also resulted in the seizure of more than 660 litres of liquor from an unlicensed liquor outlet in De Rust.

Later on Saturday at about 21:10, Dysselsdorp police conducted a sting operation in Dahlia Street, Dysselsdorp, outside Oudtshoorn.

Officers confiscated 62 crates of beer and 20 containers filled with liquor. A 57-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly selling liquor without a licence. She is expected to appear in court once formally charged.

Police target illicit goods

SAPS says the strategic deployment of Flying Squad members along entry and exit routes into the region will continue as part of efforts to prevent illicit drugs and alcohol from entering the province.

The district commissioners commended police members for their vigilance in tackling drug- and alcohol-related offences and working to improve safety in the Central Karoo and Garden Route.

Mossel Bay to Host Ironman African Championship in Major Tourism Boost

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Mossel Bay has received a major tourism boost with the announcement that the Ironman African Championship will be hosted in the Western Cape town from next year.

The internationally renowned triathlon event is relocating after being held in Nelson Mandela Bay for the past 21 years.

The championship is set to make its Mossel Bay debut in April 2027 and is expected to attract thousands of athletes, support crews, and spectators from around South Africa and around the world.

The move is expected to provide a significant boost to the local economy, with increased demand for accommodation, restaurants, tourism attractions, and other local businesses.

The Ironman African Championship is one of the continent's premier endurance sporting events, combining a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle, and a full marathon to test competitors from across the globe.
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