Durban beach goers well behaved
"Even though there were large crowds, people were generally well behaved."
THREE children, separated from their parents on the Durban beachfront during the New Year weekend, are still waiting for their parents to collect them from the city’s Child Minders overnight facility at Claire Ellis Brown Pre-Primary School.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the municipality said more than 44 033 armbands were issued to children who visited the beach over the bumper long weekend. About 332 children were separated from their parents, with 328 being reunited.
Four children were taken to the overnight facility and by Wednesday morning, three were still in the custody of child minders. The city urged parents to contact officials urgently to be reunited with their children. Proof of identity and relationship with the separated child is required. Contact the overnight facility on 031-3684119.
Ethekwini Municipality said the long weekend saw law enforcement officers, Metro Police and SAPS out in force as more than 3.9 million people flocked to the city’s beaches from 29 December to 1 January. Chairperson of the Festive Season Management Committee, Malcolm Canham said people were generally well-behaved with no major incidents or drownings reported.
“The troublemakers were dealt with decisively and we issued over 860 warnings for drinking in public, fighting, illegal braais and bathing in restricted areas. This kind of behaviour is not acceptable on our beaches and we are clamping down such behaviour. A further 161 people were charged for unlicensed vehicles and parking in prohibited areas including motorcycle lanes and disabled parking bays. The swift response of our law enforcement officers also resulted in the arrest of 8 people for cellphone and handbag theft, and some were caught with drugs in their possession,” said Canham.
A total of 33 rescues were carried out and 2 662 people received first aid treatment for different medical reasons. This included five people who were sent to hospital for incidents comprising near-drowning, arm dislocation and ankle sprain.
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