Mandeni promises to uphold by-laws after court order
The North Coast town, a once popular fisherman's paradise and much sought after family destination, is fast declining with many tourist facilities permanently closed due to the unpredictability of the ongoing drinking and public disturbance both day and night.
The Tugela Mouth Ratepayers Association (TMRA) are headed for the High Court yet again in their bid to force Mandeni municipality and the Mandeni Saps to apply the law.
This may not be necessary though if the municipality follows through on its promised plan for the holidays.
Mandeni municipality spokesperson Mdu Manzi said the municipality had gazetted new Beach Amenities by-laws on October 15, which were now enforceable and with the festive season operational strategy almost finalised, he said there would be full implementation and enforcement of by-laws.
“The municipality is working towards ensuring that all beach facilities are in good condition. Additional lifeguards have also been employed in anticipation of the increase in the number of beachgoers. The municipality is open to suggestions and further encourages collaborations with all stakeholders to ensure safe beaches through proper enforcement and compliance of by-laws.”
Manzi said the municipal traffic department had more than 4 vehicles dedicated for law enforcement.
In November 2019 Tugela Mouth ratepayers turned to the courts after what they maintained was the the municipality’s consistent failure to provide services to the community in accordance with their constitutional rights, including by-law enforcement.
A high court order obtained on November 26 instructed the municipality to provide the residents with their right to the provision of services, which included enforcement of laws promoting a safe environment.
The ratepayers’ legal representative Ben Voster said the municipality ignored the instructions of the court, forcing the residents to return to the court for help.
“The Tugela Mouth Ratepayers Association has appeared in court 5 times regarding the lawless behaviour that includes public drinking and driving, assault, the firing of weapons in public, urinating in public and the vandalising of public property,” said Vorster.
The North Coast town, a once popular fisherman’s paradise and much sought after family destination, is fast declining with many tourist facilities permanently closed due to the unpredictability of the ongoing drinking and public disturbance both day and night.
Voster said every morning the main beach car park was littered with alcohol bottles.
It was difficult to believe the beach was once earmarked by local authorities for Blue Flag status, he said.
According to the ratepayers association, the problem of drinking in public had plagued the town for the past few years.
Vorster said discussions with local authorities had proven to be fruitless.
“We are therefore forced to consider going back to court in a separate application which will force compliance with different legislations and focusing specifically on Covid regulations and the impact on tourism.”
