The Beach Boulevard Business Precinct along Marine Drive in Blouberg has moved to reassure locals and visitors that the brazen shooting at the News Cafe on Monday afternoon was an isolated incident, and that the area remains safe.

A man in his thirties, who reportedly hailed from Venda, was shot multiple times inside the popular restaurant just after 2 pm. He passed away from his injuries at the scene. The suspects fled the scene and have yet to be arrested.

A video of the incident has been shared widely, but the Table View CPF has called on people not to re-publish it as it may jeopardise investigations. Those sharing the video could also face legal consequences.

After issuing an official statement on the shooting on Monday afternoon, the Beach Boulevard Business Precinct fielded multiple comments on its Facebook page from locals expressing their anger and frustration at the area seemingly undergoing a period of decay, with drug lords allegedly hanging out openly inside and outside venues in the area.

Some residents say the parking lot at the back of the News Cafe is a haven for drug dealers, and that the area is basically a “no-go area” at night.

The Business Precinct says it continues to work with SAPS, Neighbourhood Watch, CPF and private armed security to combat all the issues which prevail.

“We as businesses, just like all other community members, rely on our local and national law enforcement authorities to keep the criminal elements from infiltrating our spaces.”

“We urge all who come down to the Beachfront, just as in any other large active public space, to not lose their common sense and awareness and act responsibly.”

Ward Councillor Jonathan Mills commented that they have been consistently calling for SAPS to resource the area properly.

“We’ve been in the news repeatedly on policing, including raising the problem in Parliament, but there has been no change. Table View SAPS must be resourced for an area which has doubled in size over the last 10 years.”