A series of stabbing incidents in Summerstrand, a key tourism and student area in Nelson Mandela Bay, has heightened safety fears ahead of the festive season. One attack proved fatal for a 23-year-old Nelson Mandela University student, prompting calls for enhanced security measures. Authorities launched a festive safety campaign even as another robbery occurred nearby.
Summerstrand, a vibrant hub for Nelson Mandela University students, families, and beachfront tourists, has been shaken by multiple violent home invasions over the past two weeks. On 13 October 2025, two female students were attacked in their off-campus residence on Admiralty Way, about 3km from the NMU campus. The assailant stabbed a 23-year-old student multiple times, leading to her death at the scene, while a 20-year-old housemate also suffered stab wounds and was hospitalized. Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg reported that the attacker fled with two cellphones and a laptop.
In the early hours of Friday, 24 October 2025, at the other end of Admiralty Way, a resident was woken around 3am by two home invaders in his bedroom. A struggle ensued, resulting in multiple stab wounds to the victim, who managed to activate a panic button. Atlas Security responded promptly, forcing the intruders to flee after they had entered through a bathroom window by bending the burglar bars. The resident was hospitalized, with his condition unknown.
Ward 2 councillor Sean Tappan expressed alarm: “I am extremely concerned with the recent fatal attack of a student at the top of Admiralty Way and [Friday morning’s] break-in and stabbing at the lower end of the same street.” He highlighted drive-in crimes, the challenge of distinguishing suspicious vehicles from e-hailing ones, and increased vagrant activity along the beachfront dunes as contributing factors. Tappan noted ongoing efforts to boost the Metro Police budget for more staff.
Residents echoed these fears. NMU student Tara Williams, 20, said: “In the last few weeks, I just couldn’t get myself to [walk to lectures]. I’m just too scared.” Local André Nel added that recent incidents prompted costly security upgrades, dipping into his family's holiday savings: “If the choice is between an extra week at the beach and the safety of my wife and kids, then I guess the decision is easy.”
On Saturday night, another invasion occurred on Burger Street, where burglars ground off burglar bars on a second-floor window. In response, NMU announced it would outsource security services after reviewing operational challenges. Spokesperson Zandile Ngwendu stated: “To address growing concern in this area, the council has now resolved to outsource aspects of the protection services function.” This includes modern technologies and faster responses to enhance safety on campuses.
Coinciding with the latest stabbing, the South African Police Service launched its Safer Festive Season campaign at Hobie Beach on 24 October. Councillor Tappan said SAPS would increase beachfront patrols, supported by private security, neighbourhood watches, and businesses, which recently added 50 solar lights and more cameras. Nationally, 131 new police vehicles were distributed, with 28 allocated to Nelson Mandela Bay to bolster resources in this crime hotspot.