HERMANUS PUBLIC PROTECTION
NEWSLETTER
Keeping our community safe and clean, together
OCTOBER 2026
In this edition:
- Cliff Path Safety | Awareness, Visibility and Community Action
- HPP Recognition | Celebrating Service and New Patrol Bicycles
- Good News Stories | From the Sublime to the Ridiculous!
- Meet the HPP Board | Operations Portfolio: Stefan Otto
Cliff Path Safety | Awareness, Visibility and Community Action
The reported assault on a young woman on the Hermanus Cliff Path in October is deeply concerning. Our thoughts are with the victim, and we recognise the anxiety that incidents of this nature create within our community.
While no single intervention can guarantee safety, there are practical steps we can all take to help reduce opportunities for crime and make our public spaces less vulnerable.
Feet on the Street – Community Presence Matters
Public spaces are generally more welcoming and less vulnerable to criminal activity when they are actively used and enjoyed by the community. Walking, exercising and spending time outdoors contribute to a visible community presence. Being aware of our surroundings and looking out for one another also matters.
A few practical reminders when using the Cliff Path and other public spaces:
- Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uncomfortable, do not ignore that feeling. Change direction, move towards other people or a safer area.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid distractions, particularly when walking alone, and remain alert to what is happening around you.
- Where possible, walk with someone else. Consider arranging to walk with a friend or joining others, particularly during quieter periods.
- Look out for one another. If you notice someone who appears to need assistance or observe suspicious behaviour, take it seriously and report it.
- Report incidents. Do not hesitate to contact HPP or SAPS when something concerns you.
HPP continues to provide a visible presence through its patrol teams and monitoring of public spaces. Our control room operates 24/7 and can be contacted on 087 550 5295.
Community safety is a shared responsibility. HPP, SAPS, the Municipality, local businesses, residents and visitors all have a role to play. More than ever, we need to work together to ensure that our public spaces remain places where people feel comfortable and safe.
HPP Recognition | Celebrating Service and New Patrol Bicycles
October brought two positive milestones for HPP.
Hermanus Business Chamber – Certificate of Excellence
HPP was honoured to receive a Certificate of Excellence from the Hermanus Business Chamber in recognition of its service in the CBD.
This recognition is appreciated and reflects the ongoing commitment of our operational teams who work every day to contribute to a safer and cleaner Hermanus.
Three New Bicycles for HPP
HPP was also awarded three bicycles through the Western Cape Government’s Mobility Department, as part of its Sustainable Transport Programmes Bicycle Distribution Project.
The bicycles were presented in connection with Overstrand Bicycle Day, held on Saturday, 24 October 2026, at Mount Pleasant Sports Field.
The new bicycles will enhance HPP’s existing bicycle patrol capacity, which is currently used on waste collection days and during busier periods when additional visibility and presence in the community are beneficial. This will provide greater flexibility in how we deploy our patrol resources.
We are grateful to the Western Cape Government for this contribution and its support of sustainable mobility initiatives.
HPP Annual General Meeting | October 2026
HPP held its Annual General Meeting on 8 October 2026 at the Windsor Hotel in Hermanus. The meeting was well attended, with ratepayers and members of the community joining the Board and management to review the past year and consider the year ahead.
The meeting also marked the resignation of two Board Directors, Fransien Koegelenberg and Peter Doble.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to both Fransien and Peter for their time, commitment and valuable contribution to HPP. Their involvement and support have been greatly appreciated, and we wish them both well in their future endeavours.
The meeting included the presentation of HPP’s annual reports, financial information and the proposed budget and implementation plan.
For those who were unable to attend, or who would like to revisit the proceedings, the AGM minutes, presentation and other relevant documents are available on the HPP website.
Visit www.hpp.org.za to access the AGM documents.
Working Together to Keep Hermanus Safe
1 OCTOBER to 31 OCTOBER 2026
Reports Received
528
Arrests
15
Waste Collected (KGs)
1335
October in Action | From the Sublime to the Ridiculous!
From rescuing a swimmer caught in pounding waves to tracking down stolen bicycles, dealing with suspected cable theft and even responding to a man sleeping in a tree, October certainly offered HPP’s operational teams a reminder that no two days are ever quite the same!
The nature of calls received by HPP is as varied as the community we serve. Some incidents are serious and potentially life-threatening, others involve suspected criminal activity, while a few are simply unusual. Whatever the circumstances, our teams are expected to respond professionally, assess the situation and provide assistance where needed.
Here are two of October’s standout incidents, along with a snapshot of some of the month’s other operational activity.
A Life-Saving Intervention at Langbaai
On Wednesday, 14 October, an HPP patrol officer was conducting foot patrols in the Langbaai area when he noticed a swimmer in difficulty. The man was waist-deep in the water, being repeatedly thrown against the rocks by the waves. He had sustained injuries and was unable to get himself to safety.
Recognising the seriousness of the situation, the officer immediately entered the water and managed to guide the swimmer away from the pounding waves and safely back onto dry land.
An ambulance was called, and the injured man was transported to hospital, where he received treatment for minor cuts and bruises. HPP also contacted his accommodation establishment to make them aware of the incident and arrange assistance, which they duly provided.
This was an exceptional example of an officer going well beyond his routine duties. His quick thinking, courage and willingness to put another person’s safety first are commendable.
Stolen Bicycle Recovered Through Collaboration
On Thursday, 29 October, HPP CCTV monitoring picked up an individual potentially linked to a bicycle theft in Northcliff the previous day.
An HPP Specialised Response Unit was dispatched, and enquiries established that the bicycle had been sold to another person. With assistance from SAPS members in the vicinity, further information was obtained, revealing that the bicycle had changed hands several times and had potentially travelled across several neighbourhoods.
Later that afternoon, information was received about an abandoned bicycle in Vermont. A response vehicle from the Onrus-Vermont Special Rating Area (OVSRA) was dispatched and located the bicycle, which was confirmed to be the one stolen from Northcliff.
Suspects were detained for further investigation, and a case was opened with SAPS.
This incident is a good example of what can be achieved when organisations and individuals work together, share information and extend their response beyond their immediate areas of operation.
A Month of Varied Incidents
These were just two of the many incidents attended to by HPP during October. Other interventions included suspected housebreaking, theft of property, possession of suspected stolen goods, cable theft, possession of dangerous weapons and illegal substances, trespassing, damage to municipal infrastructure and suspected intoxicated driving.
Cases were opened with SAPS in respect of the incidents, with further investigations following the necessary processes.
While HPP’s CCTV operators and patrol teams play an important role in identifying and responding to incidents, effective community safety depends on collaboration.
Our thanks go to SAPS, Overstrand Law Enforcement, the Onrus-Vermont SRA, private security companies, neighbourhood watch groups and members of the public who continue to share information and work alongside our teams.
Meet the Team | HPP Board Operations Portfolio: Stefan Otto
Stefan is so full of passion that his verbal expressions tumble from his mouth like an unstoppable express train. In fact, he makes such a strong impact that you would believe he can keep many plates in the air at once.
So, there is no surprise that among his many talents Stefan occupies the key board directorship overseeing HPP’s operations besides being a multi-tasking chef.
It is fitting that the interview takes place in the gardens of “Only Specials” – the brainchild of one of the town’s key benefactors.
Stefan has the word Hermanus embedded in him like a stick of rock. He was born and bred locally within a solid family structure emphasising morality and fortitude passed through the generations.
Questions become redundant as the success story – so far – flow from this energetic dynamo as smoothly as water from the fountains. After his schooling in Hermanus, he attended the Warwick’s Chef Training School before pursuing his career internationally.
“I was very lucky that I had the opportunity to be exposed to the highest levels of fine cuisine,” he says. “My life was a blur of activity between the ages of 18 and 28.” He worked in Europe including the hallowed halls of Harrods in London’s Knightsbridge and one, two -and the holy grail – three-star Michelin restaurants.
“I was trained by the titans of the industry in its heyday – under the eyes of Gordon Ramsey, Marcus Wareing and Harald Bresselschmit.”
While working for renowned hoteliers Mr and Mrs Tollman, and still in his 20’s, Stefan made the transition into front of house management working in executive hotels. Here his ebullient character attracted the attention and formed close relationships with highly influential people. “I am a product of the Tollmans’ benevolence,” he says.
However, despite all the glitz and glamour, he stayed grounded and was determined to provide his family with the style of life in which he had enjoyed growing up. In 2011, with his wife Nikki and daughter Olivia, the family settled in Hermanus.
But the calmer pace of this unique town has not slowed Stefan. He and Nikki now manage the Penguino guest house which attracts overseas visitors as well as the occasional commute to Botswana to the Xigera Lodge in the Okavango delta.
“My reason for joining HPP is to retain the special attraction of Hermanus as safe, pleasant and welcoming for all residents and visitors,” he explains. “We are surrounded by unspoilt beauty and a precious way of life which we must preserve.”
The HPP Board interview series is conducted by Peter Doble. We are grateful to Peter for continuing to share his time and insight with our community through these interesting profiles.
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
Hermanus Cliff Path Safety
