Be safe this festive season in Amanzimtoti

While a lot of effort has gone into the festive season planning, the fact is Toti is a coastal holiday and tourism destination and many businesses won’t be able to keep their doors open without this influx. Ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge urges local residents to remain tolerant and holidaymakers to abide by the rules to ensure everyone’s safety.

“For the next six weeks, it’s not going to be business as usual, with the number of people in town expected to increase exponentially, prices will sky rocket, parking will be limited, people will be driving differently, otherwise quiet streets and apartment blocks will become hives of activity and noise levels will increase. It’s nothing new, it has been happening for as long as we care to remember and it will continue to increase annually as more and more people become of means to make their way to the coast.

“There never has and never will be enough resources to ensure police officers in attendance everywhere, but officers have been tasked to monitor and access until such time as situations require intervention, yet taking into consideration that people may make noise from 7am to 9.30pm from Sunday to Thursday and 8am to midnight from Friday to Saturday.

“There are days when we gear for larger crowds, which could see enforcement resources stretched thinly, as events all happen at the same time, which could necessitate traffic measures – frustrating for residents, but essential in the interest of the bigger picture.

READ ALSO: Disabled to ride waves at Amanzimtoti main beach

While every courtesy has been extended to maintain maximum presence and visibility, which includes cooperation with the private security sector, there is still no guarantee that it will be continuous, as there are many areas that demand similar intervention with Metro Police southern command servicing from Umlazi to Umkomaas and inland to Umbumbulu with recreational beaches at Reunion, Dakota, Pipeline, Amanzimtoti, Doonside, Baggies, Winklespruit, Umgababa and Umkomaas, and SAPS serving from Athlone Park to Umgababa and inland to Mfumi – demographically vast and extremely busy by anyone’s measure.”

The festive season runs from 1 December until 31 January and all recreational facilities, except were otherwise indicated, will be staffed and operational between 6am to 6pm. Take note of the rules and emergency numbers provided.

READ ALSO: Amanzimtoti beach workers honoured for sterling service

Beaches (031-322-9034)

The following bathing beaches will be open for the duration of the festive season from 6am to 6pm, with beach patrols from 6pm to 7.30pm: Umgababa, Winkelspruit, Doonside, Toti Main, Pipeline and Reunion. The following temporary bathing beaches will be open for the duration of the festive season from 6am to 5pm: Inyoni North (between Toti Main and Pipeline) and Inyoni South (between Toti Main and Toti River mouth).

The following beaches are only patrol beaches from 8am to 5pm and no bathing is allowed: Isipingo River mouth, Tiger Rocks, Twini Beach, Baggies Beach, Subway and Umgababa South. An additional 25 seasonal lifeguards have been deployed who will, along with the compliment of professional life guards, tend beaches according to a shift roster.

Pools (031-322-9034)

Tiger Rocks, Dakota, Pipeline, Inyoni Rocks, Winkle and Illovo swimming pools will be open from 6am to 6pm. Bathing will not be allowed after 5.30pm to allow for pool chemicals to be administered and 6am opening times will be subject to cleaning operations from the previous days bathing.

Separated children (031-322-9034)

At Amanzimtoti Main Beach, identification wrist bands will be available for children to allow for quick and easy reunions between separated children and their parents. Child minders have been employed to take care of separated children. During the day they will be kept at the Amanzimtoti beach office, but children who have not been reunited with their parents by 6pm will be taken to an overnight facility in Durban Central.
At all other beaches, lifeguards will manage all short-term separated children at their own respective beaches and children who have not been reunited with their parents by 6pm will be taken to the overnight facility in Durban Central.

Beach cleaning (031-322-9034)

All public changerooms and toilet facilities will be open from 6am to 6pm. Where activities or numbers so dictate, facilities will remain open from 6pm to 10pm in the interest of upholding the required hygiene standards. Thirty seasonal general assistants, who are being employed from 4 December to 20 January, will be deployed where necessary.

Additional portable toilets

A total of 34 additional toilets with three-day service intervals will remain at the following locations from 4 December until Sunday, 20 January: Umkomaas South Bank, Umgababa Beach, Winkelspruit Main Beach, Warner Beach sports field, Toti Promenade, Shad Place, Tiger Rocks North and River.

Law enforcement (031-322-9034)

Thirty five additional private security guards have been deployed across all district 5 beaches, along with several funded tourism monitors who will assist with information.

DSW

In light of expected crowds and later than normal activities, staff will work staggered shifts while additional temporary staff have been employed in an effort to maintain a cleaner and more acceptable environment.

Metro Police (031-361-0000)

Roadblocks

While smaller road blocks will be carried out in line with available personnel on a daily basis, several major roadblocks have been approved that will include RTI and SAPS, so be warned. Make sure your vehicle is in roadworthy condition, you have a valid driving license and don’t drink and drive.

Beach Road and Carlyle intersection

A parkhome has been placed at the intersection where vehicles entering the precinct will be searched for alcohol and dangerous weapons. Residents can obtain access permits from the parkhome, as should it become necessary to block off the road, only residents with valid permits will be given access during the time of such a block off. Once Pipeline and the picnic site is full, vehicles will be allowed to park on the western side of Beach Road with the understanding that taxis will not be allowed into the beach area and passengers will have to be dropped off at the boom gate near the Caltex Garage.

Kingsway and Link Road

A boom gate will be operated when required with access control by Metro Police and SAPS. No taxis or busses will be granted access and no alcohol will be allowed past that point. Only residents will be allowed access once Beach Road is full.

Doonside, Warner Beach and Winklespruit

Periodic patrols will monitor access, along with situation and congestion control. If necessary, roads will be blocked and access control applied.

SAPS (10111)

In light of several enquries and complaints, the following needs to be noted: Clubs are permitted to sell alcohol from 10am until 4am the next morning (although other recreational activities may continue after 4am); pubs may serve alcohol from 10am to 2am (although other recreational activities may continue after 2am); and retail liquor outlets may trade in liquor from 8am to 8pm (although they may remain open past 8pm to sell non-alcoholic merchandise).

The eThekwini number for all municipal faults is 080-311-1111 and the number for emergency services is 031-361-0000.

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