Daylight robbery on Sea Point promenade sparks safety fears

A Sea Point woman says she was robbed of a gold chain during a daylight incident in Sea Point recently.

The incident took place on January 7, once again placing the spotlight on safety concerns and the presence of street children along Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard.

Roxy Joubert said the incident happened at about 3pm while she was walking on the promenade, just before the area near the public art glasses while heading towards the lighthouse.

According to Joubert, a group of children appeared to target her in a coordinated manner. She said she first noticed one child approaching her and suspected an attempted bag snatch, prompting her to warn a German friend walking with her to secure her belongings.

Shortly afterwards, she noticed two more children approaching, spaced a few metres apart. “One was a distraction for the other,” she said. “Before I knew it, he struck my chest and yanked at my chain.”

Joubert said she reacted quickly and managed to grab hold of the chain, but the attacker fled with the charm attached to it. The piece of jewellery, she said, held significant sentimental value.

“As most people know, I’m a regular walker and very aware of my surroundings,” Joubert said. “Unfortunately, this still happened. Be vigilant and practise situational awareness.”

Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said Sea Point said the matter was not documented formally: “Sea Point police have no record of the incident,” Gwala said.

The alleged robbery comes amid long-standing concerns over street children in Cape Town. Activists estimate that about 800 children roam the city, while the 2022 census recorded around 6,600 people sleeping rough. Residents have repeatedly reported harassment and theft, particularly along the Atlantic Seaboard.

In October, the Cape Argus reported on concerns raised by Jacques Weber, who warned that residents were living in fear and described the situation as a public safety issue with economic and community-wide consequences.

Between April 2024 and September 2025, authorities removed 58 children from the streets in Sea Point. However, many returned shortly afterwards due to a shortage of social workers and appropriate facilities. Activists have called for dedicated centres for children under 18 struggling with substance abuse, noting that most rehabilitation facilities only accept adults.

Western Cape Social Development MEC Jaco Londt has acknowledged the heavy caseload carried by social workers and said a workshop on the Children’s Act would be hosted in coming weeks, allowing stakeholders such as the City Improvement District to provide input.

Authorities have stressed that children may only be removed from the streets when they are at risk or involved in criminal activity. Police Oversight MEC Anroux Marais and City officials have repeatedly emphasised that the Department of Social Development holds statutory responsibility for children in need of care and protection.

The Department of Social Development has confirmed that a social worker has been allocated to respond to reports of street children in the area, in addition to their existing duties, and will work alongside police, law enforcement, ward councillors and the CID.

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Cape Argus