During June 2025 Saldanha Bay Municipality (SBM) became aware of a portion of land in Paternoster that has become available through an auction process. The property in question is centrally located and adjacent to existing services (municipal services, the public interchange and the shops).

The Paternoster community over years has identified land through the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) process as a necessity for economic development, housing and municipal services. The land SBM currently owns in Paternoster is located far from existing services, hence the strategic location of the subject land will facilitate inclusive development of communities close to existing services, instead of placing the community on the outskirts of town. The social media posts suggest that it is in order to place and develop communities on the outskirts of towns moving back to separate development and away from economic opportunities.

SBM is known for its adherence and compliance to the legislative framework governing local government and it is not different when it comes to this transaction. In particular, the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations (MATR) and its policy processes and guidelines.

SBM is committed to obtain land in the most cost-effective manner and to mitigate rising land prices. SBM is conscious of the ever-escalating land prices in the Paternoster area and by acquiring the subject property it can mitigate future land price escalations.

SBM remains committed in addressing the historical land ownership patterns in Paternoster through availing land to the community and to ensure the thriving of economic, social and cultural development and find it mischievous for individuals to spread misleading information on the process.

Die munisipaliteit veroordeel onomwonde die misdade van vandalisme en diefstal wat dienslewering ondermyn en wetsgehoorsame inwoners ontneem van die dienste wat hulle regmatig toekom. Ons het onlangs ’n onrusbarende toename in die vandalisme van munisipale infrastruktuur waargeneem, veral in Wyk 2, Witteklip, Vredenburg, waar kabeldiefstal en skade aan straatbeligting kommerwekkend algemeen geword het. Ander gebiede in die Saldanhabaai Munisipaliteit word ook gereeld geteiken.

Die munisipaliteit het in Junie 2025 altesaam 16 ernstige voorvalle van vandalisme aangeteken wat skade van R76 176,00 beloop het. In Julie 2025 het ons agt voorvalle gesien wat R65 364,00 beloop het, met bykomende soorte skade wat nog verreken word. Tot op hede staan die totale koste vir die jaar op R472 399,00 in die Saldanhabaai- munisipale gebied. Hierdie uitgawes maak ’n beduidende verlies vir die munisipaliteit en sy belastingbetalende verbruikers uit.

Vandalisme en diefstal beskadig nie net munisipale infrastruktuur nie, maar het ook ’n nadelige uitwerking op die lewens van inwoners en belastingbetalers wat op hierdie dienste staatmaak. Niemand baat by misdaadgedrag nie.

Ons doen ’n beroep op die gemeenskap om aktief ’n standpunt teen hierdie misdade in te neem. As u enige kriminele aktiwiteit waarneem, moet u dit asseblief onmiddellik by die polisie of munisipale wetstoepassing aanmeld. As ons saamstaan, kan ons verdere skade voorkom en die lewensgehalte van alle inwoners beskerm. Staan saam om die straatligte aan te hou, staan saam om ons strate en woonbuurte te beskerm, staan saam sodat ons veilig kan voel waar ons woon.

Aan diegene wat hulle met hierdie onwettige dade besig hou: julle stel nie net die publiek se veiligheid in gevaar nie, maar julle wys ook dat julle nie ’n greintjie respek vir jul medeburgers het nie. Ons veroordeel hierdie gedrag ten sterkste en sal aanhou om regstappe in te stel teen individue wat dié misdade pleeg.

Kom ons maak ’n einde aan hierdie vernietigende optrede. Stop vandalisme en diefstal – sommer vandag nog.

As u dié dinge sien gebeur, meld dit asseblief aan. SAPD Misdaadstop 08600 10111. SAPD Noodlyn 10111. Munisipale Wetstoepassing (022) 701-6912 (kantoorure) of (022) 701-6834 (na ure).

The municipality unequivocally condemns the criminal acts of vandalism and theft that undermine service delivery and deprive law-abiding residents of the services they rightfully deserve. Recently, we have witnessed a troubling increase in the vandalism of municipal infrastructure, particularly in Ward 2, Witteklip, Vredenburg, where cable theft and damage to street lighting have become alarmingly common. Other areas within the Saldanha Bay Municipality are also frequently targeted.

In June 2025, the municipality recorded 16 serious incidents of vandalism, totalling R76,176.00 in damages. In July 2025, we have already seen eight major incidents, amounting to R65,364.00 with additional forms of damage still being accounted for. To date, the total cost for the year has reached R472,399.00 in the Saldanha Bay Municipal area. These expenses account to a significant loss for the municipality and its rate paying consumers.

Vandalism and theft not only harm municipal infrastructure, but they also negatively affect the lives of residents and ratepayers who rely on these services. No one benefits from criminal behaviour.
We urge the community to take an active stand against these crimes. If you witness any criminal activity, please report it immediately to the police or municipal law enforcement. Working together, we can prevent further damage and safeguard the quality of life for all residents. Together we can keep the streetlights on, together we can protect our streets and neighbourhoods, together we can feel safe where we live.

To those engaged in these unlawful acts: you are not only endangering public safety, but you are also showing complete disregard for your fellow citizens. We condemn this behaviour in the strongest terms and will continue to pursue legal action against those responsible.

Let us put an end to these destructive actions. Stop vandalism and theft—today.
When you see it, please report it. SAPS Crime Stop 08600 10111. SAPS Emergency Line 10111. Municipal Law Enforcement (022) 701-6912 (o/h) or (022) 701-6834 (a/h).

Contrary to popular belief, sleeping individuals do not wake up from the smell of smoke. Instead, the toxic fumes can cause deeper unconsciousness and lead to fatalities. These new smoke alarms are designed to rouse people before it is too late.

This initiative reaffirms the municipality’s commitment to protecting lives and promoting a culture of safety in all its communities.

In case of fire, residents in the Saldanha Bay municipal area should contact emergency services on: (022) 713-1815 / 086 007 3473 / (022) 701-6834