'It's emotionally exhausting'

“There's always an option,” he said. “It may not be ideal for the individual, but there is always an option.”

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Ms Gorman said there have already been 30 break-ins this winter, with many more attempted ones that still caused damage.

“It’s emotionally exhausting,” she said. “Our volunteers are constantly replacing doors and locks, only to find more damage the next day. It’s not sustainable.” She estimated the cost of repairs so far at around R36,000.

11 huts on East Beach remain unlocked, and Ms Gorman noted that the couple could have sheltered there without causing further harm. “Now our team has to repair two huts unnecessarily.”