Amanzimtoti beaches to close at 6pm every day during lockdown
Blue light patrols and high visibility initiatives will remain the order of the day.
With the latest Covid-19 restrictions gazetted, the Festive Season Management Committee (FESMAC) has stated that in the interest of safety, law enforcement will start clearing beaches and parking areas from 3pm every day.
André Beetge, convener of the south Festive Season Management Committee (FESMAC) security cluster, said this is aligned with beach operating times, from 9am to 6pm, and in conjunction with current precautions.
“Blue light patrols and high visibility initiatives will remain the order of the day. Small road blocks and stop and search operations will take place on a daily basis, along with three major roadblocks in conjunction with other stakeholders to check for offences that include alcohol-related matters, unroadworthy and unlicensed vehicles, outstanding warrants and so on.”
A mobile charge office will be set up in a parkhome at the intersection of Beach and Carlyle roads in Amanzimtoti. Vehicle searches for alcohol and dangerous weapons, and blocking off the road will be done as and when necessary. Residents need to obtain access permits from the parkhome from Monday, 14 December to allow them entry if it becomes necessary to block off the road and restrict access.
Once Pipeline and the picnic site is full, vehicles will be allowed to park on the western side of Beach Road to minimise congestion. Boom gates will be installed to restrict access to Beach Road by taxis or busses, and searches for alcohol conducted. Only residents will be allowed access while passengers will have to be dropped off at the corner of Link and Ridge roads. Taxis and buses will have to park at the old municipal building, circus site or old CBD parking.
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In Warner Beach, consistent patrols will take place and, if necessary, access will be blocked off Kingsway. Access to the soccer field will also be restricted. In Doonside consistent patrols will be done and, if necessary, access regulated to Dick King Road. In Winklespruit expect consistent patrols and, if necessary, access will be blocked off to either one or both parking areas.
“In addition to deploying administrative personnel and drawing additional support from surrounding stations on peak days, numbers on the ground will further be enhanced by detectives and others in civilian attire to move and monitor situations within crowds. SAPS will further enhance beach law enforcement by establishing a footprint ‘on the sand’ with quad bikes on days when numbers so necessitate.
The private security sector as well as neighbourhood watch group activities will be coordinated by SAPS to enhance operations, visibility and render a larger coordinated footprint to combat crime across the entire suburb. All law enforcement and related structures will be interdependent and in support of each other to ensure a united and unified front,” said Beetge.
Emergency numbers:
* Metro Police – emergency services 24-hour call centre 031-361-0000 or Isipingo charge office 031-322-3900.
* South African Police Service (SAPS) – national 24-hour emergency number 10111 or Amanzimtoti charge office 031-913-1300.
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