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Crime Statements

03 June 2025 Media Release: Young recycling fashion designers crowned at the ‘Designing a Greener Future’ event

Media Release: Young recycling fashion designers crowned at the ‘Designing a Greener Future’ event

For immediate release
03 June 2025

On Friday, 30 May 2025, stakeholders including the South African Police Service, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), George Municipality, Eden FM Radio, attended and participated in the Designing a Greener Future event that was hosted at Tyholora Primary School in Thembalethu, George.

Stakeholder representatives and learners during the “Designing a Greener Future” event that was hosted at Tyholora Primary School in Thembalethu.

With the theme “Using Creativity to Teach Crime Prevention,” stakeholder representatives shared their insights on illegal dumping and littering, highlighting the importance of recycling and its impact on the environment. More importantly, the link between illegal dumping, littering, and crime was also emphasised.

Starting off the event, was the Waste Management Team of George Municipality explaining the purpose of the event as well as educating all present regarding waste management and how to become a responsible resident in favour of a clean environment.

Further into the programme, an interactive awareness session with all learners regarding the signs of abuse and how to prevent becoming a victim of abuse, was conducted. Learners participated in the discussions that were presented by Advocate Marilyn Olifant-Scheepers.

In his address at the event, GRDM’s MMC for Community Services, Cllr Jobieth Hoogbaard, stated that “illegal dumping and littering doesn’t just harm the environment – it brings down the quality of life, creates health hazards, and often attracts more serious crimes. When areas are neglected or full of waste, it can create a “broken window” effect, where disorder invites further illegal activity,” he said.

Learners from various schools in George showcasing their creative talents wearing designs made from recycling material. 

When referring to the youth, Hoogbaard emphasised: “When young people are educated about caring for their communities – whether by picking up litter, recycling, reporting dumping or creating clean, green spaces, it creates pride, responsibility, and unity. These are key ingredients in preventing crime. They become part of something bigger,” he emphasised. “This sense of ownership and pride can steer youth away from crime because it replaces chaos with purpose,” Hoogbaard added. He encouraged all stakeholders present to invest in education and awareness, not just to protect the environment, but to protect the future of the youth. “Together, through small steps, we can build safer, cleaner, and stronger communities,” he concluded.

During his keynote address at the event, Garden Route District Commissioner, Major-General Phumzile Cetyana, said: “We are heading into a direction of becoming a clean town. Stating that “crime prevention and cleanliness goes together,’ he said: “Crime thrives in an environment that is not clean”. He added that “by making our places orderly, we are preventing crime”.

Learners from various schools and the Market Theatre drama group during their stage performances shared educational messages through poetry, song, dance and drama.

He further encouraged stakeholders, more specific learners, to never give up on a better world and concluded: “I take inspiration in knowing that our future lies in your hands. To the stakeholders, teachers and the community, he said: The creativity is inspiring, but let us all allow our children to be creative and to be part of this new world”.

Many enthusiastic learners showcased fashion designs made from recycled material, and the event furthermore featured vibrant performances in poetry, song, dance, and drama by learners from various schools in George, as well as the Drama Group from the George Market Theatre.

The winners of the Fashion design competition with the judges and organisers of the event.

The programme concluded with the prize-giving ceremony – and a deeper understanding of how illegal dumping and littering is linked to crime, leaving attendees with meaningful lessons to take forward.

Feature image: Contestants of the Recycling Fashion Design Competition soon after the announcement of the winners.

ENDS

4 July 2023: Media Statement: Condemnation of Crime – Ald. Memory Booysen, GRDM Executive Mayor

Media Statement: Condemnation of Crime – Ald. Memory Booysen, GRDM Executive Mayor

For Immediate Release
4 July 2023

Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) condemns all forms of crime and we are deeply troubled by violent murders that continue to take place in our region and beyond. The most recent local murder is that of Ruan Hechter on 2 July at Saasveld in George.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving families, friends, and colleagues of everyone who have been murdered.

As the Executive Mayor of GRDM, I strongly denounce such senseless acts and call upon the South African Police Services (SAPS) to ensure that the perpetrators face the full force of the law.

When assessing the past six months, we have lost, amongst other areas several George residents due to violent crimes:

  • Zimkhitha Ntshisela was stabbed to death at Nelson Mandela University in George, in June 2023.
  • Juwayne Domingo was murdered in Pacaltsdorp, George, in May 2023.
  • Karen Fleming was killed by her husband in Bodorp, George, in April 2023.
  • Lihle Tshaka was murdered in Zone 9, Thembalethu in March 2023.
  • Welele Mbudede from Thembalethu, George, was murdered in March 2023.

Last week in Bitou, a resident was beheaded in Kwanokuthula. Oudtshoorn also lost Almay Hurling in April 2023 after she was murdered by her boyfriend. At the Dysselsdorp/De Rust road near Rosevalley in Oudtshoorn in March 2023, a 60-year-old man was found murdered in a vehicle by the driver. In 2022, Kirsty James was stabbed 30 times by a close friend at her workplace in Mossel Bay, and Heila Kilian, was murdered on her farm in 2018 near Still Bay.

According to SAPS, between October and December last year 7 555 murders were reported in South Africa. This equates to 82 murders every day and an increase on the same period in the previous year of 74 per day.

LOCAL COMMUNITY SAFETY FORUMS ESTABLISHED

Over the past few months, GRDM has taken action by coordinating the establishment of Local Community Safety Forums throughout the district, with the exception of Knysna who are yet to submit a safety plan. These safety forums serve as platforms for municipalities to access funding for effective crime prevention initiatives. The development of these safety plans is essential as they serve as comprehensive guidelines for our towns to proactively combat crime. By prioritising community safety, we aim to create an environment where individuals can flourish and realise their full potential, free from the fear of falling victim to crime.

Stakeholders and Councillors recently attended and participated in the launch of the Community Safety Forum held in Greater Oudtshoorn. Photo: Tania Steffens (Oudtshoorn Municipality).

In addition to our focus on safety plans, GRDM remains dedicated to enhancing the work carried out by neighborhood watches and farm watchers. We have donated surveillance cameras and various resources to active community groups in George, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn and Knysna, to bolster their efforts in safeguarding our communities.

GRDM encourages communities to join their respective neighbourhood watches whose details can be accessed by contacting local police stations. Also, members of the public are welcome to contact their local municipalities to join their Local Community Safety Forums.

GRDM stands firm in its commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents. We will continue to work with law enforcement agencies, community organisations, and local residents to foster a secure environment for all.

ENDS