With Amanzimtoti welcoming holidaymakers to the Sapphire Coast for their annual festive season vacation, law enforcement authorities have launched the beaches operational plan.
“From Friday, 1 December to Wednesday, 31 January, our recreational facilities, except were otherwise indicated, will be staffed and operational between 6am and 6pm,” said ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge.
“The municipality, local establishments and residents want to make our visitors feel welcome and we ask the public to note the following information.”
Aquatic safety – 031-322-9043
The following beaches will be open for bathing from 6am to 6pm, seven days a week: Umgababa, Winklespruit, Warner Beach, Toti main beach, Pipeline Beach and Reunion Beach. Inyoni south and north is open from 8am to 5pm.
The following beaches will be patrolled by seasonal lifeguards between the hours of 8am and 5pm, but no bathing is allowed: Umbogintwini River mouth, Umnini Beach, Twini Beach, Tiger Rocks, Baggies Beach and Subway Beach.
The freshwater swimming pool at Pipeline and saltwater pools at Inyoni Rocks (Toti main beach) and Winklespruit will be open from 6am to 6pm. Authorities do reserve the right of closure to necessitate cleaning in the interest of health and water quality regulations.
For drownings or near drownings only, call the 24-hour line 074-562-4888.
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Separated children – 031-322-9043
Wrist bands will be available for young children at Amanzimtoti Main Beach and Umgababa Beach. At all other beaches lifeguards will manage all short-term separated children. Children not reunited with their parents by 6pm will be taken to an overnight facility in Durban central.
Beach cleaning – 031-322-9043
Additional refuse bins have been allocated to all beaches and open recreation areas. While staff will work in two shifts between 6am to 6pm to clean beaches, an appeal is made for everyone to use and manage waste to accommodate for faster and effective cleaning. Toti and Pipeline beaches will be open until 7pm. At the busy beaches some facilities will remain open until 10pm, but this will only be if and when necessary to uphold the required hygiene standards.
Beach law enforcement – 031-322-9034
Additional security officers have been deployed to Isipingo River mouth, Pipeline, Toti main beach, Toti Beach chain access, Warner Beach, Winklespruit and Umgababa Beach.
An additional 20 security officers will be deployed on 16, 24, 25, 26 and 31 December, and 1 and 2 January.
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Durban Solid Waste – 076-788-8881
Skips are being placed in strategic places and service intervals increased to every second day in addition to the 150 refuse drums on beaches and in public open spaces.
South African Police Services – 10111 or 031-913-1308
Additional members will be deployed to include recently graduated constables with foot patrols, static points, motorcycle patrols (both road and beach), crime prevention units and visible police patrols.
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