Crackdown on boozing

Port Alfred police have been instructed by their local management to enforce municipal bylaws and issue public drinking fines after complaints of preseason partying in the coastal resort.

In a widely circulated e-mail this week from businessman Warwick Heny to DA ward 10 councillor Ray Schenk, municipal officials, local tourism and the NRSI, he complained of recent “shocking and unacceptable” levels of drinking at Kelly’s beach, which has blue flag status, and almost daily partying in the popular West Beach car park.

The appeal for something to be done has spurred police into action.

Local spokesman Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula yesterday said senior management had decided at their daily meeting on Tuesday to respond immediately to the problem. “We agree that it is breaking the law. We encouraged and instructed police to enforce the bylaws and fine people who are drinking in public.”

Mjekula warned police would clamp down on public drinking and partying in the lead up to the December holidays. He said a meeting would be held with municipal officials and other role-players to finalise plans to “handle unruly behaviour” around New Year.

In recent years, municipal officials, police and others have been unable to properly enforce bylaws to prevent thousands of people from drinking, partying and braaing on the beach, along the Kowie River bank and even on the lawns of locked beachfront apartments around West Beach.

Ndlambe municipal manager Rolly Dumezweni yesterday agreed officials and police needed to work together in the build-up to peak holiday season. He said season plans that were inclusive of all stakeholders would be formulated to deal with public drinking and partying.