HERMANUS PUBLIC PROTECTION
NEWSLETTER
Keeping our community safe and clean, together
OCTOBER 2025
In this edition:
- Control Centre Successfully Relocated and Operational | A new space designed to support growth, enhance coordination and strengthen HPP’s capacity to serve the Hermanus community.
- CCTV Footage Requests | Procedure and Policy
- What To Do If You Fall Victim to Crime
- Operational successes | Working together to keep Hermanus safe
Control Centre Successfully Relocated and Operational
We are pleased to announce the successful relocation of HPP’s Control Centre to new premises on Mussel Road in the Industrial Area. The upgraded Control Centre provides a more functional and secure working environment for camera operators and field coordination, strengthening HPP’s monitoring capacity and operational readiness ahead of the festive season.
The move was completed efficiently, with operations maintained throughout under HPP’s established continuity procedures to ensure uninterrupted service delivery to the Hermanus community.
The transition was coordinated with the assistance of WCC Technologies, HPP’s contracted service provider responsible for managing the surveillance network. Their technical team ensured that all systems were tested, installed and fully operational before activation.
HPP extends its sincere appreciation to Project Manager Paul Langguth of Due South Construction, along with all contractors and service providers whose efforts contributed to the successful completion of the new facility. Their professionalism and commitment ensured that the Control Centre was delivered to specification and completed a week ahead of schedule.
HPP also extends its gratitude to the Overstrand Municipality for hosting the HPP CCTV Control Room at the Fire Station, and to Fire Chief Lester Smith and his team for their support and cooperation throughout HPP’s time at the facility.
Working Together to Keep Hermanus Safe
1 October to 31 October 2025
Reports Received
408
Arrests
2
Waste Collected (KGs)
1355
CCTV Footage Requests
HPP regularly receives requests from residents, businesses and legal representatives for access to CCTV footage. While HPP manages and monitors public spaces across the Hermanus Special Rating Area (HSRA), the release of recorded footage is governed by Overstrand Municipality policy and privacy legislation.
In accordance with these requirements, all requests must be submitted in writing and include the date, time and location of the incident. Requests can be made directly via the HPP website.
Upon receipt, HPP will review the relevant footage to determine whether any material of evidential value exists and will advise the requester accordingly. Where appropriate, footage is made available only through authorised municipal or law enforcement channels. This ensures that surveillance data is managed responsibly, balancing community safety with privacy protection.
To submit a request for review, please complete the form on the HPP website: https://hpp.org.za/report-an-incident/.
What To Do If You Fall Victim to Crime
If you are a victim of crime, please follow these steps:
- Report the crime to the Hermanus South African Police Service (SAPS) as soon as possible at 61 Main Road, Hermanus, or call 028 313 5300.
- If the incident occurred within the HSRA, you may contact HPP to request a review of recorded CCTV footage. If relevant material is found, you will be advised to ask the SAPS investigating officer to liaise directly with the HPP Control Room.
- Footage and images are not shared with the public. All evidential material is released only to the assigned SAPS Detective upon presentation of a valid case number, in line with evidence-handling and privacy requirements.
- HPP cannot provide copies of footage to the public. This is prohibited by law.
- If you require footage of yourself, submit a formal request through the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) process via the Overstrand Municipality.
Swift Action and Strong Partnerships Lead to Arrests and Recoveries
During the first week of October, two separate incidents once again demonstrated the effectiveness of Hermanus’s integrated community safety network, made possible through close cooperation of HPP, SAPS, Overstrand Law Enforcement, private security companies, neighbourhood watch groups and the vigilant monitoring of local WhatsApp groups by active residents.
On the evening of 5 October at around 20:18, HPP Control Room received reports of people screaming in the Westcliff area. HPP SRU Officer Thulani, who was nearby, responded immediately and found two distressed tourists who reported that they had been robbed by a man matching a specific description. The information was quickly circulated to all HPP units, SAPS, private security teams and neighbourhood watch groups. Following a coordinated search, Officer Thulani located the suspect nearby. The tourists confirmed his identity, and he was taken to the Hermanus Police Station, where he was arrested. HPP was also able to recover the tourists’ discarded passports and other personal belongings.
Just a few days later, on the night of 9 October at approximately 23:30, an HPP CCTV Operator noticed three individuals leaving the New Harbour area acting suspiciously carrying a bag. He observed them being picked up by a white bakkie and immediately alerted SAPS. The vehicle was intercepted on Swartdam Road, where officers found a bag of crayfish during a search. Two suspects and the driver were arrested for suspected illegal possession of marine resources.
These incidents underscore the strength of the Hermanus safety network, where professional monitoring and response, law enforcement, private security and an active, alert community work together to prevent and respond to crime. Residents and visitors are reminded to stay aware of their surroundings, especially at night: use main, well-lit roads, avoid walking while on your phone, and contact HPP if they feel unsafe or would like an escort when walking to or from the CBD.
Meet the Team | Nikile Thole: Meet HPP’s Longest-Serving Team Member
Each month, we introduce a member of the HPP team. This month, we feature Nicole Thole, Senior Shift Supervisor in the Control Room.
HPP Shift Senior CCTV operator Nikile Thole has been with HPP since 2006, when he started working as a foot patroller. He has been a CCTV operator since 2016.
“We are here to protect our community and our tourists so they can walk safely on the streets and the cliff path of Hermanus,” says the father-of-one who hails from Lady Frere in the Eastern Cape.
“Our tourists are important as we depend on them economically as a town. Without them, Hermanus wouldn’t survive. It is important to take care of them as well so that they will come and visit us again!”
Nikile says he would one day love to see HPP “all over”, from Voëlklip to Fisherhaven, and including Zwelihle, Mount Pleasant and Hawston.
“Because of the provisions of Special Rating Areas (SRAs), this won’t happen until residents in those areas stand up and call for it. But it would be wonderful for everyone to feel safe every day.”
His job is never boring: “There is a lot happening in Hermanus. It is exciting and I love my job,” Nikile says. “Thanks to our CCTV monitoring, we have been able to apprehend many criminals over the years, including those coming from other towns and cities to rob tourists.”
Nikile’s dedication and long service reflect HPP’s commitment to keeping Hermanus safe for all who live, work, and visit here.
That is all for this edition. With your support, we will continue to protect what makes Hermanus such a special place to live and visit.
Leon Rauch
HPP Chair