Beach congestion has fatal outcome
City must urgently brush up its act before the next festive season
AN ambulance was blocked from reaching a child rescued from drowning after being caught up in the bumper to bumper festive season traffic at the Bay Hall.
Thousands of vehicles obstructed the pre-planned emergency exit route to and from the beach area.
Attempts by others on scene to resuscitate the child failed.
This was one urgent warning issued by Beach Manager Shakes Hiraman when the chaired the Beach Safety meeting, addressing various stakeholders at Alkantstrand.
‘I am going to be blunt. The beach festive season looked as if it went well, but it did not go so well – especially for those on the ground.’
Hiraman said all stakeholders and specifically senior management must urgently come to the table to work on future contingency plans to ensure an incident and litter free festive season.
Closing the traffic routes to Alkantstrand during festive periods, particular during New Year’s celebrations, was tabled as a possible solution to serious traffic congestion and liquor abuse.
‘We were supposed to have an emergency road, but there was no access in or out.
‘We should start clearing the bushes along the John Ross and allow people to park there and walk to the beach.
‘Only residents should receive permits to drive through.
‘People hide liquor in the cars. If they have to walk, they will walk in sober.’
Rapes and murder
The Bay Hall area was described as a ‘killing zone’ with two drownings and four near-drownings.
Three drownings occurred at Alkantstrand during night time.
Lifeguards reported that 90 swimmers were helped and 54 serious rescues took place.
Another stern challenge reported by the life guards, was the number of children reported missing.
SAPS were commended for their high visibility from 12 December, with regular patrols and involvement throughout the festive season, under the leadership of Brigadier Brenda Mgenge.
SAPS reported three rapes at the beach and one murder.
The suspects in the murder case have since been arrested.
Although littering was extensive, the clean-up teams lived up to expectations and cleared the beach daily in record time.
According to reports, hawkers without permits swarmed in from everywhere, to the prejudice of legitimate vendors who bought permits from the municipality and underwent safety and fire-fighting training.
It was also mentioned that those tasked with checking permits and chasing off illegal traders, failed in their duties.
‘Illegal hawkers rob legitimate permit holders from their income and they do not even spend the money in our town,’ said Hiraman.
Other problems included off-duty SAPS members and municipal officials who brought their families to the beach using official vehicles and parking in demarcated areas for on duty members only.
It was also reported that a member of SAPS brought in liquor and refused to be searched by security.
