Festive season ban on beach boozing

Drinkers behind the wheel or in public will be arrested by Buffalo City Metro (BCM) law enforcement officers backed up by the SAPS, the Saturday Dispatch was officially told.

BCM spokesman Keith Ngesi said anyone merely carrying alcohol at Ebuhlanti would be arrested.

He further warned that:

lDrunk driving suspects would be zapped with a minimum bail fee of R2000;

lThere would be zero tolerance of drinking and driving, swimming or drinking in public; and

lFestival event organisers who do not apply to BCM for permission to hold an event by November 15 will be turned away because late applications would have a “detrimental impact on planning”.

Ngesi was releasing the core points of BCM’s festive season safety plan to be announced in full on October 27.

“Last year BCM announced it through flyers and on radio but people still carried on but there was no enforcement – this year it is going to be enforced.”

Provincial police spokeswoman Colonel Sibongile Soci said police had a legal obligation to assist BCM when necessary.

More details on how police planned to integrate their activities with municipalities would be released when the SAPS launched their festive season operation plan soon.

Ngesi said: “The popular Marina Glen (Ebuhlanti) spot will be an alcohol-free area and anyone found drinking or carrying alcohol in that space will be arrested.

“No fires will be allowed at the beaches. Fires will be made at designated areas. This was to avoid fires accidentally catching the grass and ending up burning parked cars.

“Fire-making equipment of any kind will be confiscated. Also no fire crackers will be allowed at the beach.”

But braaiers and drinkers at Ebuhlanti yesterday slammed the plan calling it “unfestive”.

Eight women braaiers spoken to yesterday said BCM would kill their business.

Kholeka Rwexana, who has braaied at Ebuhlanti for many years, said: “Banning booze will be the end of Ebuhlanti. Booze goes with braai. Very few people come to just braai. They come for both.”

Nonkqubela Gobindiku, leader of the Ebuhlanti braai committee, said: “We employ people to collect and bring us cut wood, people sell sunglasses and air time. These small businesses will also be destroyed.”

One drinker, Lubabalo Landeni, claimed officers would no longer be able to bust drivers and “they won’t get their bribes. They know that everyone leaving here is drunk”.

Out of 30 people approached by the Dispatch at Ebuhlanti yesterday, not one was in favour of banning drinking at the venue.

Ngesi said planning for the crackdown started months ago.

“The tendency is that people bring alcohol to public areas where it is prohibited and when they get drunk they drive and cause accidents and at times lives are lost, or other people’s cars get damaged.”

He said the no-drinking policy would start at Ebuhlanti precinct and across the metro early in November.

The decision drew applause from Buffalo City Ratepayers’ Forum chairman André Swart who said: “We commend BCM’s proposed action. But it must be enforced, especially along our pristine beaches and public spaces.”