Safety concerns rise after shooting of angler in Strandfontein

More than one thousand fishermen along the False Bay coast are mobilising after the shooting of angler Jody Rademeyer, who was attacked during an alleged hijacking at Strandfontein Beach in the early hours of Tuesday.

The incident has triggered outrage, a surge of online organising and renewed criticism of safety conditions at Sonwabe and nearby fishing spots.

In response to the rising tension, the False Bay Fishing Association will hold a safety and security meeting at Fishermen’s Lane at 7pm on Tuesday, December 9.

It follows the much-anticipated R25 million upgrade of the Fisherman's Lane, "Broken Road" which was completed in 2023. Major upgrades to the Strandfontein Pavilion in which the city plans to remove unsafe structures, refurbish the remaining pavilion, improve access to the tidal pool and overhaul the amphitheatre, parking areas and landscaping. The project forms part of the broader Strandfontein Coastal Urban Node plan, with construction scheduled for early 2026.

Speaking with the Cape Argus, Heinrich Hans, a friend of Rademeyer, said they were still waiting for an update from the family. “Jody and I are in a fishing group together but I wasn’t with him at the time. We haven’t heard from the family today but yesterday they told us that he was breathing on his own and is responsive,” he said.

“There are thousands of fishermen in the group and we are expecting a good turnout on Tuesday when we meet to discuss the way forward regarding our safety, what happened to Jody and all the other concerns.”

Muizenberg police confirmed they are probing attempted murder and carjacking.

“According to reports, the complaint was sitting in his car waiting for his friend when he saw a black VW Polo pulled up next to him. Four unidentified males get out and rob him,” police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk said.

“The suspects was armed with firearms, they shot his friend at the side of his head, and drove off with his car, a red Toyota Corolla.”

The motive, he said, is believed to be robbery.

Rademeyer was taken to hospital after being struck during the confrontation.

Wayne Turner of the Muizenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) said the shooting appeared to be a random attack based on the information available to police. He said the victim and a companion had arrived to fish when armed men confronted them.

Turner said there had been no similar attacks reported to the CPF and urged anglers to take extra care at isolated night-time fishing spots until the investigation is complete.

The attack sparked a massive outpouring of support for Rademeyer online, with dozens of fishermen expressing fear, frustration and anger.

Long-time angler Hassiem Davids said the incident highlighted years of ignored warnings about safety on the False Bay coast. He wrote that the attack was “so brutal and should have never happened” and criticised what he described as uneven beach safety, saying anglers had long been soft targets for criminals.

Local fisherman Yazeed Khatieb of the False Bay  Fishing Association said safety concerns had reached boiling point.

He created an online group after the shooting, which drew thousands of members within hours. “Within about three hours, there were over a thousand people who had indicated that they would like to join the meeting on Tuesday,” he told the Cape Argus. “These included law enforcement, government officials and other authorities.”

“There are a lot of rumours going around but Jody (Rademeyer), himself hasn’t spoken about the incident,” he added. “We would like to get first-hand information from the family before commenting but it has certainly has sparked an outrage and raised major concerns for fishermen safety.”

Khatieb said residents want equal protection. “We just want to be treated and protected in the same way as residents in affluent areas like Bantry Bay and Camps Bay.”

The City of Cape Town in response to the incident said it was a police matter but outlined its Festive Season safety plan which ensures a safe festive season for residents and tourists.

JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security explained the work at hand: "The City’s Safety and Security Directorate proactively coordinates and implements the annual Festive Season safety plan. In this regard, the Festive Season Task Team already convened in October, with the fifth  meeting that took place on Wednesday.

"The task team consists of representatives from more than 25 City departments including Disaster Risk Management, Fire and Rescue Service, Urban Mobility, Recreation and Parks, Coastal  Management,  Health Services,  Events & Film Permitting, 107 Public Emergency Communications Centre,  Metro Police, Law Enforcement and Traffic Service, among others.

The Western Cape Ministry of Police Oversight were contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publishing.

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Cape Argus