Drunken orgies at Thompson’s Bay infuriate locals

A weekend of drunken revelry at Thompson’s Bay tidal pool has angered local beach-goers who have slammed authorities for their lack of law enforcement.

Outraged locals expressed their disgust after drunken, rowdy groups ruined the family-friendly swimming spot, forcing many families with children to leave.

Some of the revellers were having sex in public and becoming aggressive, they say.

The abuse that is happening regularly at the usually idyllic Thompson’s Bay tidal pool over weekends has also caused an uproar.

On Monday morning this week the tidal pool area was still in a sorry state with broken beer bottles, discarded takeaway containers and plastic packets strewn across the grass.

Thompson’s Bay resident Gill Birch said she was “dismayed and depressed” at the extent of the rubbish that greets her and others every Monday morning.

“We have noticed a general deterioration of the area. It is unacceptable. There is just filth everywhere. People do not feel safe anymore. Where are the authorities who are suppose to enforce the bylaws?” she asked.

As the beach is regarded as a “prized asset” for tourism, more needed to be done to protect it.

“No one seems to be interested in sorting the problem out. This happens regularly and there is a lack of police enforcement here,” said Birch.

According to witnesses the drunken revellers party until late at night and flout bylaws such as drinking in public, littering, playing loud music and exposing themselves indecently. Another early morning bather described the scene as “disrespectful, embarrassing and disgusting”.

Residents are calling on KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) to start enforcing the same bylaws practiced by eThekwini which has taken a zero tolerance approach to alcohol in public.

While several complaints were lodged with the police and KDM’s hotline, no one responded to the calls.

Umhlali SAPS spokesperson Captain Vinny Pillay confirmed that police were not able to respond when residents called to complain.

Many have blamed the problem on the lack of visible policing from both Umhlali SAPS and KDM traffic officers.

Public drinking, urination and fornication as well as littering and loud music were just some of the issues reported.

“We also witnessed people pulling the lifeguard buoys through the bars of the store room after the lifeguards went off duty while two lifeguard paddle skis were also taken from the lifeguard tower and used to frolic in the pool.

“They just don’t care,” another swimmer added.

“The truth is, we are in a crisis, and yet all we ask is that people stop drinking in public, keep their music down and clean up after themselves.”

A mother of two said she and her husband, a recreational surfer, no longer wanted to bring their children to the beach.

“The amount of broken glass and used condoms was horrific. How can we bring our kids to such an environment? We live in the area, we pay the rates, yet we are pushed out and prevented from enjoying the beach,” she said.

Tourism monitor Nkosinathi Myaka who was stationed at Thompson’s Bay said they were not able to control the situation as the perpetrators reacted aggressively when they were asked to stop drinking.

“KDM needs to come up with a plan as we do not have control. During the weekend there are three of us on duty who are responsible for ensuring that visitors obey the rules of the beach but they do not listen to us and there is nothing we can do to stop them,” said Myaka.

Ballito ward councillor Tammy Colley said the local authority was responsible for clamping down on any behaviour that might cause discomfort, annoyance or inconvenience to other members of the public.

Local businesses have threatened to look to the courts for help, saying the municipality had failed to maintain a safe and healthy environment.

KDM’s head lifeguard Bongani Xulu confirmed that lifeguard buoys and malibu boards were taken out of their storeroom and used in the tidal pool.

“It is very difficult for our lifeguards to police drunken and disorderly behaviour. This should be reported to the community police who are responsible for managing unruliness. The malibu boards and buoys were taken out of our storeroom after the lifeguards had gone off duty.”

Xulu said he would be meeting with stakeholders this week to discuss possible solutions.

“Swimming and alcohol are a dangerous mix and the situation could have turned ugly if they had managed to take the malibu boards out to sea,” said Xulu.

KwaDukuza municipality had not responded to the Courier at the time of going to press.

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