"The best protection any woman can have... is courage."
— Elizabeth Cady Stanton
August 5th, 2023
This message is one of a few responses to the closure of the R43 that occurred in the last two days. This message forms part of a short series on important matters surrounding the recent riots at Hawston and Mount Pleasant. This episode pertains to intimidation tactics by the Hermanus SAPS Overberg Cluster Commander.
On the morning of August 3rd, a series of closed-door meetings were convened by various institutions responsible for safety and security - in response to the riots that occurred in Hawston on the previous evening, August 2nd.
These meetings were centered on analyzing scenarios and formulating strategies to address the situation. Due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, some details are typically not publicly disclosed. Nevertheless, certain information critical to the safety of the citizens of Hermanus needed to be shared.
For instance, during a previous riot, specifically related to the closure of the R43 road at Mount Pleasant, authorities issued warnings prior to the event, advising people to avoid hotspots and closed roads. These warnings proved beneficial, as many people were spared inconvenience due to the South African Police Service not effectively handling the situation and clearing the roads promptly as they should have done.
However, on this occasion, this past week, there was a failure to provide an official warning from the authorities, despite having informed knowledge of a potential hotspot on the R43 at Mount Pleasant for the evening of August 3rd. This potential hotspot was expected to be an extension and a sympathetic response to the events that started at Hawston.
Antoinette Van Niekerk, a brave activist in the view of many who know her, took it upon herself to warn the citizens of Hermanus about the potential danger on the R43. She felt compelled to take this courageous step to prevent a situation where people would be cut off from returning home from either side of Hermanus late at night, as it had previously happened.
Unfortunately, Miss Van Niekerk's warning resulted in unexpected consequences. On the morning of August 4th, 2023, she was targeted by Brigadier Heilbron, the Hermanus SAPS Overberg Cluster Commander, who contacted her with intimidating tactics, attempting to force her to divulge her source of the warning posted on social media across Hermanus. Brigadier Heilbron threatened her with police action and legal consequences if she did not disclose the origin of her information.
This is the message she posted on social media:
🔴WARNING/HEADS UP/📍
please forward to groups
SECURITY, SAPS,LE
Anticipating violence and BURNING in Mountin Pleasant area THIS EVENING, the same as last night in Hawston.
Please be aware and safe and don’t put yourself in a position of danger by being on the R43 in that area.
Despite the intimidation, Miss Van Niekerk stood her ground, demonstrating her activist spirit. She confronted the bullying tactics by a superior, who she believed, being a concerned citizen, should have been her protector and not her attacker. In a turn of events during the conversation, Brigadier Heilbron changed his approach, providing her with his personal cellphone number and instructing her not to share verified life-saving information before he had given his approval.
I have some questions that require decent answers and accountable actions if this is not to be the new inconvenient Orwellian norm for how police handle people:
1. Why were the community members not informed of the potential danger by those in charge who possessed the necessary knowledge?
2. What motivated Brigadier Heilbron to overstep his mandate and intimidate Miss Van Niekerk, trying to suppress future information that might help vulnerable children and women from potential harm?
3. Where in the Code of Conduct for a Police Officer, especially that of a Brigadier, does it allow for the use of such tactics against an individual who has not been accused of any wrongdoing?
4. Miss Van Niekerk's warning was factually accurate, as acknowledged by Brigadier Heilbron himself during the conversation. Shouldn't he commend her for taking the initiative and potentially saving lives, instead of playing with semantics and what seems to be a personal or politically motivated attack on her?
5. What actions does Mayor Dr. Rabie plan to take regarding this situation, now that she has knowledge about this? Will she request an official enquiry by IPID?
6. Where does the council stand on addressing the concerning actions of an authoritative figure?
7. Finally, what steps will Ward Councilor Miss Kari Bryce, the councilor for Miss Van Niekerk's ward, take in response to this situation? Will she follow up with Mayor Dr Rabie as it supposedly should be and provide support to Miss Van Niekerk?
The SAPS is tasked with upholding the law, and it is essential to recognize that blocking the R43 is illegal, as it is a criminal act to destroy infrastructure. Moreover, blocking the R43 constitutes a violation of the constitution, as it restricts individuals' freedom of movement by illegal means. In such situations, it is the responsibility of the SAPS to take action against such illegal activities and restore order. That is their main focus, and not to initiate unlawful witch hunts on community members who are standing up when those who shold have done their job, does not!
One cannot help but question why, if the SAPS had prior knowledge of the unfolding events, they did not act proactively to address the concerns of the disgruntled community. Instead, it seems they dilberately allowed the situation to gain momentum before responding.
Were any arrests made by Brig. Heilbron? It is important to determine whether his actions were in line with his mandate and not influenced by politics to target Miss Van Niekerk. These are some critical questions that demand investigation.
Brigadier Heilbron provided Miss Van Niekerk with his cellphone number, demonstrating his willingness to openly engage with her and, to that extent, the community. As a community, we believe it is appropriate to share his contact details on our forum and website. We encourage everyone to reach out to Brigadier Heilbron, who serves our community, and inquire about his principles regarding acceptable warnings in situations like these. It is important to have an open dialogue and seek clarification on matters that concern the safety and well-being of our community members, and while you have him on the line, also ask him about the reasons for his interrogation of a good Samaritan.
I leave you with this quote from Ezekiel 33:
"But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and does not warn the people and takes someone’s life, I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood."
