In a festive season statistics report back for district 5 from Isipingo to Clanstal from 1 December to 3 January, 6,597 warnings were given for bylaw infringements, 180 charges issued, 11 arrests made and 55 officials deployed.
On the beaches, 156 rescues took place, 1,355 were treated for first aid and three drownings took place. The three drownings took place on 18 December at Illovo River beach, 1 January at Widenham beach and 3 January at 7.30pm off Dakota beach. “All beaches are classified as non-bathing beaches and no lifeguards were deployed,” said ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge.
On 2 January, a 30-year-old man from Mfumi was reported missing at Pipeline beach after he allegedly took a swim at 10pm.
A total of 79,023 litter bags were collected by the 75 officials deployed.
The number of bathers were estimated at 382 249 with about 1 199 647 on the beach. The highest attendance was on 1 January with 185 000 on the beaches during the day and 70 000 during the night, followed by 101 300 on the beaches on 16 December and 93 000 on 2 January.
“While the health department expressed concern regrading ad hoc food vendors appearing in front of several businesses, their two major challenges were the Mnini Jazz Festival on 26 December and Umgababa Festival on 1 January,” said Cllr Beetge.
“Several power outages at Umgababa raised concern regarding vendors’ ability to keep food at the required temperature and several food samples were taken for analysis.
As the Mnini Festival was a bring and braai, efforts were concentrated on waste and water management.
Reports were received regarding the late delivery of medicines to clinics, which was attributed to staff being on leave at the dispatch source.
The wastewater department experienced less problems than in the past and no beaches required closure or activities marred by any spillages, which could be attributed to the implementation of the southern area intensive pump replacement and management plan.”
With many factories closing on 11 December, flow was considerably reduced from both the Prospecton and Southgate industrial areas, thereby allowing resources to be concentrated on residential areas.
“While the increased domestic flow resulted in seven blockages in the Amanzimtoti and Kingsburgh areas, no rising main bursts or gravity mains had to be repaired,” said Cllr Beetge.
Durban Solid Waste was able to maintain their litter clearing and domestic collection plan over the festive season and on public holidays.
Toti SAPS experienced the expected festive season challenges like shoplifting, theft from motor vehicles and other opportunistic crimes, often due to negligence and people refraining from taking preventative measures.
There was concern regarding an increased demand on resources following less than the expected number of Metro police officers being deployed at peak periods. While Metro patrol vehicles were observed, the less than expected manpower resulted in traffic congestion and violations, including numerous bylaw infringements in high volume areas along Beach Road, Amanzimtoti main beach, Pipeline and Winklespruit.
As opposed to past successes, no traffic management was implemented at Winklespruit which resulted in several violent incidents.
“Given residential reports, it is clear that not all municipal staff were fully committed or able to satisfy everyone’s expectation. However, this year the compliments appeared to rather outnumber the complaints.
With the ever-increasing numbers that frequent our town during peak season, often with little or no respect for either the law or the fact that we call this home, so do the challenges that officials, who no doubt would also rather be spending time with their families, have to face.
While others are still sleeping, they are already out cleaning, clearing and ensuring systems remain operational. Do they always get it 100% correct? Certainly not, but as much as there are those opportunists who take advantage of the ‘silly season’, they are far outnumbered by those who are extremely committed and who actually do a splendid job.
To everyone, whether a municipal employee, a business person or a resident who went out of their way to contribute positively towards the past season – a great big thank you,” said Cllr Beetge.
