- Eastern Cape police are appealing to the Kayser's Beach community to stop stealing guavas from local farmers in the area.
- Guava farmer, Gavin Gower, says farmers in the area are gearing up for the 2021 harvest season, knowing that thieves will be gearing up to turn into street hawkers, who will sell their stolen fruit along the R72 highway.
- Gower said 2020 was the worst season, as he lost thousands after his orchards were ransacked.
East London police have appealed to residents in and around Kayser's Beach to stop stealing guavas from a local farmer and selling off his fruit right in front of his farm, along the R72 highway.
The appeal was made by the Kidd's Beach police during a recent meeting between the police, local farmers, and members of the community.
For the past five years, Gavin Gower, 62, claims he has been under siege from thieves trespassing on his 50-hectare Lilly Valley farm in Kayser’s Beach to steal bucket loads of guavas.
He said 2020 was the worst season, when he incurred losses of about R50 000 after his guava trees were ransacked.
“In 2020, they were stealing a bakkie load a day between myself and my neighbour and they sell it on the R72 national road. As far as I know there is a law in place which states that you cannot sell within 20-30 metres of a national road and locals are doing it blatantly, while the police are driving past them."
Gower said he pleaded with the police to help curb residents form stealing and selling his guavas. He said the community members surrounding his farm, were the ones stealing the fruit, and when he confronted them, they fought with him.
“Last year, one gentleman threw a bucket filled with guavas in my face and I was bleeding,” said Gower.
The farmer claimed that he has become a laughingstock among locals, with guava street hawkers laughing in his face when he drives by.
Gower said the behaviour and total disregard of the laws, is caused by the lack of action from the police.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Captain Khaya Tonjeni however said that the police were doing everything in their power to stop the theft, hence they organised the stakeholder meeting.
Tonjeni said:
Gower said to date no arrests have been made, despite local farmers including himself, opening several cases with the police.
According to the police no recent case had been opened. A community member, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that during the guava season, unemployed people turn into overnight seasonal hawkers selling stolen guavas.
“Normal people steal the fruit from Mr Gower’s farm and from other surrounding farms and sell it along the R72 highway at very affordable prices. I would also stop and buy from them,” the member said.
Another community member pointed a finger at the people from nearby KwaRooi and Nyuzi settlements, as the culprits responsible for the theft.
Other aggrieved farmers who attended the community meeting with police also complained about the ongoing theft, demanding action from law enforcement.