Community Safety & Support

23/05/2026

11/05/2026

🚨Accident just over koppie R27 heading towards TV .. ps approach with caution and use alternate route

17/04/2026

🚨 BANK ACCOUNT CRIME EXPLODES IN SOUTH AFRICA: SCAMS, HACKS & “EXPRESS KIDNAPPINGS” ON THE RISE 🚨
South Africans are facing a new wave of digital and real-world crime — and it’s targeting your bank account directly.
According to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre, digital banking fraud has more than doubled in recent years, with criminals becoming more advanced, organised, and aggressive.
And it’s not just online anymore…
HOW CRIMINALS ARE TARGETING YOU
Banks like Capitec have warned of a surge in scams and fraud cases, with criminals using:
Phishing links (fake emails, SMS, and websites)
SIM swap fraud to take control of your number
Malware apps that steal your banking details
Fake ads on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram promoting deals that don’t exist
If it sounds too good to be true — it probably is.
🚨 NEW THREAT: “EXPRESS KIDNAPPINGS”
Even more alarming is the rise of “express kidnappings” — a growing trend in South Africa:
Victims are abducted during hijackings or robberies
Forced to unlock their phones and banking apps
Then made to transfer money on the spot
According to crime experts and the Institute for Security Studies:
These attacks are becoming more frequent and more dangerous
Some victims are randomly targeted, while others are specifically profiled
Criminals can drain anything from a few thousand rand to millions
Latest stats show:
Nearly 4,800 kidnappings in just 3 months
That’s about 53 kidnappings every single day
Gauteng accounts for more than half of these cases
WARNING SIGNS OF A SCAM
Banks including Standard Bank say you should watch out for:
Offers that are too good to be true
Messages about prizes from competitions you never entered
Urgent requests to confirm personal details
Emails from suspicious or free domains
Requests for upfront payments to “unlock” money or prizes
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO RIGHT NOW
To protect yourself:
NEVER share your PIN, passwords, or OTPs
Avoid clicking on unknown links or ads
Turn on banking app security features
Be cautious of calls claiming to be from your bank
Change your passwords regularly
THE BIGGER PICTURE
This is no longer just fraud — it’s an organised crime wave targeting everyday South Africans.
From online scams to kidnappings, criminals are evolving faster than ever — and anyone with a bank account could be a target.
Have you or someone you know ever been targeted by a banking scam or suspicious message? How did you handle it?
If you’re seeing this for the first time, FOLLOW The Mzansi Plug — we break news before mainstream media does.
🔥 Follow The Mzansi Plug for real-time breaking news across Mzansi and beyond.

17/04/2026

Not in Melkbosstrand, but worth knowing about

14/04/2026

Puffer fish have been found on Muizenberg beaches, and now reports of Bloubergstrand - please be alert on all local beaches

Key Dangers and Precautions:

Extreme Toxicity: The toxin is located in the skin, organs, and blood. There is no known antidote for tetrodotoxin poisoning.

Fatal to Dogs: Pets can die within hours of chewing on a washed-up puffer fish, with symptoms including tremors, wobbly walking, and paralysis.

Human Danger: Do not touch or pick them up with bare hands as the toxin can be dangerous; they also have toxic, sharp spines.

What to Do: Keep dogs on a leash in areas with washed-up fish, and dispose of them in sealed trash bins

🐡🐡🐡🐡🐡🐡🐡🐡
Edited to add this message from COCT:

The City this morning, 14 April, removed 26 puffer fish that washed ashore between Sunrise beach and Muizenberg beach along the False Bay coastline. We did not find puffer fish at Fish Hoek or Glencairn beaches, however, we advise the public to remain cautious at all times when walking their dogs as the fish could wash out at any time, at any given location.

We will keep on removing puffer fish as the public report sightings. The public can report sightings by sending an email to [email protected]

Beachgoers should not handle the fish. While they pose little risk to humans, they are toxic to animals. Those walking their dogs should ensure that their pets do not come into contact with the fish, or consume the fish, or any other marine animals.

Importantly, the washing out of puffer fish along our shoreline is a normal phenomenon. We request the public to please report sightings to the City so that we can alert the public via our official channels.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the ‘Fake News’ post from yesterday, 13 April 2026, which was removed within less than two hours after the City was alerted to real sightings. Yesterday, 13 April, after being alerted, the City sent staff to check if puffer fish were on the beach at Muizenberg and none were found at the time.

Be as it may, we kindly remind dog owners to keep their dogs under control at all times, and to prevent them from eating any marine life.

14/03/2026

Update - found safe

13/03/2026

Please be aware of your surroundings, especially in hot spots. And keep handbags, laptops, cellphones etc out of sight.
This happens so quickly

13/03/2026

There have been confirmed seal attacks at Melkbosstrand Main Beach

Please avoid any water activities in the area

13/03/2026

FAKE APPLICATION NOTICE

Please do not respond to this application, SAPS would not use WhatsApp

11/03/2026

Blaauwberg Nature Reserve Protected Area Advisory Committee



Please be advised of a recent outbreak of suspected Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) resulting in mass mortalities of terns and other birds at Melkbosstrand’s Soutrivier mouth.

While this specific area falls outside the formal boundaries of the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve, we are actively coordinating with our Quemic rangers and colleagues in the Coastal department to manage the site and evaluate the necessity of cordoning off the area with danger tape to prevent public contact. We have collected large amounts of the birds for the State Vet’s laboratory to test for avian influenza, using appropriate PPE and procedures to handle the affected birds.

It has come to our attention that members of the public have been observed handling sick or dead birds without ANY protective measure. This is extremely hazardous. Please refer to the attached notice, which strictly warns against handling any birds without the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Taking individual birds to various private veterinary rooms would hardly make a difference to the outbreak, and may in fact expose more people and animals to the spreading disease.

We ask that you share this information through your networks to ensure the public understands the health risks involved and the importance of not interfering with the affected wildlife.