Eden on the Bay Calls for Coordinated Action on Public Disorder
PRESS RELEASE
Issued by Eden on the Bay Management | 5 October 2026
Eden on the Bay Management shares the concerns of residents, visitors and businesses about ongoing public drinking, disruptive gatherings, loud music and incidents of public disorder in the surrounding Big Bay beachfront and public parking areas.
We recognise the distress and frustration these incidents have caused, and the impact on people’s ability to enjoy this much-loved beachfront destination. This behaviour is unacceptable and undermines the welcoming environment that our tenants, residents and management work hard to maintain.
Eden on the Bay and the Big Bay Master Property Owners Association has also sought permission from the City of Cape Town to take on greater management of the surrounding public areas, particularly to address taxi activity, parking and access control. This request was declined. Despite our willingness to take a more active role, these areas remain outside our management and control, making intervention by the relevant authorities essential.
Clarifying the areas under our management
Eden on the Bay is a sectional title development, with its common property managed by the Body Corporate. The Body Corporate manages the scheme’s common property and provides security for the development.
The surrounding public parking areas and beachfront walkway in front of the restaurants fall outside the scheme’s boundaries and are under the jurisdiction of the City of Cape Town. Although these spaces are closely associated with Eden on the Bay, they do not form part of the property managed by the Body Corporate.
We understand that visitors naturally associate these spaces with Eden on the Bay because of their proximity to the centre. However, management does not control these public areas, and our private security personnel do not have the same enforcement powers as City Law Enforcement or the South African Police Service.
This distinction is essential to ensuring that intervention comes from the authorities empowered to address unlawful conduct in these spaces. It does not lessen our concern for those affected or our commitment to helping secure a lasting solution.
Ongoing efforts to address the problem
Management and the Body Corporate have repeatedly raised concerns about public disorder and the need for consistent, visible enforcement. Our security personnel continue to respond to incidents affecting the property and assist within the limits of their lawful authority.
A community petition for additional law enforcement was supported by more than 300 people and delivered to the Ward Councillor in December 2025. The increased Law Enforcement presence over that festive season was welcomed, but the continuing problems demonstrate the need for sustained intervention.
The Body Corporate has also investigated supplementary security options for the beachfront and parking areas. Providing coverage during evenings, weekends and other periods when incidents occur remains a key challenge.
A call for coordinated action
With the summer season approaching, Eden on the Bay is calling on the City of Cape Town, Law Enforcement and relevant policing authorities to prioritise:
- Consistent, visible patrols in the public beachfront and parking areas, particularly during evenings, weekends and peak periods.
- Enforcement addressing unlawful public drinking, disruptive noise, threatening behaviour and obstruction of access routes.
- A coordinated response plan with clear responsibilities and ongoing communication with the community.
Private security efforts need to be supported by effective public law enforcement. A lasting solution requires coordinated action from the authorities responsible for these spaces.
Help document incidents
Residents, visitors and businesses are encouraged to report relevant incidents through the Big Bay Incident Reporting Portal:
https://zfrmz.com/tsgfCdSJYwyqILN3uaby
For security reasons, one-time password (OTP) verification is required. Reports will help document the extent and frequency of incidents and support ongoing requests to the City of Cape Town and Law Enforcement for immediate intervention. The portal does not replace contacting emergency services or reporting criminal matters to SAPS.
Eden on the Bay remains committed to supporting its tenants, residents and visitors, and to working with the relevant authorities towards safe, clean and welcoming public spaces for everyone.
For further information, please contact Eden on the Bay Management at management@edenbc.co.za.
ENDS
Issued by Eden on the Bay Management
Download the full press release (PDF)