Booze ‘orgies’ remain a problem
Authorities still seem to be tossing the issue around like the proverbial hot potato, with nobody really showing any interest in finding a solution.
SCOTTBURGH beachfront residents are now actually praying for load shedding on weekend nights, hoping it will put a stop to the booze ‘orgies’ that remain a serious bone of contention.
“It’s the lesser of two evils,” said one beachfront resident. “Kill the spotlights and just maybe it will put a stop to the parties that go on throughout the night. Plus, Umdoni will be saving energy.”
The Mid South Coast Mail received a flood of complaints from people over the June/July holidays, but opted to wait until visitors returned home to drag up the thorny problem for the umpteenth time.
Meanwhile, authorities still seem to be tossing it around like a hot potato, nobody really showing any interest in finding a solution.
“It’s a municipal police problem,” said police spokesman, Captain Vincent Pandarum.
Nolwazi Ncame, general manager, corporate services, Umdoni Municipality said the communications officer is away. “However, I will ensure that you receive a response within the requested time frame,” he added.
The request for comment was sent on July 15 and again on July 20.
Comments from the community:
Resident (name withheld): “On Youth Day, some of the young people were so drunk coming back from the beach, the girls were lifting their skirts – no underwear – and bending forward showing their behinds to the passing cars. Absolutely disgusting.”
Debbie Anderson from Bell & Anchor: “The continual partying is having a negative effect on our businesses and our trade. We are a very seasonal town and we have a limited period of time during holiday season where we are able to make sufficient money to see us through the quiet off seasons.
“The filth left on the beaches and the fact that the holidaymakers can’t use the beachfront for a number of days means that they aren’t returning.
“This is affecting the whole town and all the people who try to make a living here. The parking lot needs to be boomed and access controlled and we need more police manpower.”
JP Nel from Scottburgh Caravan Park: “The noise and mess that is left behind is disturbing. Guests do not feel safe taking walks to the main beach at dawn.”
Captain Pandarum: “Enforcing the municipal bylaws is the primary function of the municipal police. (However) The station commander, Lieutenant Colonel Praga Naicker, avails himself to the community he serves. The shift on duty may be incapacitated at times due to them attending more serious complaints and crimes and may therefore not be in a position to attend immediately to a report of rowdiness on the beach.
“Lieutenant Colonel Naicker, at his discretion, will decide if the situation necessitates him mobilising one of the sector commanders or any of the police officers on standby, to attend. Many a time, he personally, albeit being off duty, attended to such reports when his members had more serious complaints to attend to.”
