‘Stop the public drinking!’ call for action against beach revellers

Frustrated residents are calling on local authorities to stop drinking on beaches and in public areas.

Broken beer and wine bottles, discarded takeaway containers, plastic packets and food scraps were strewn across sand and grass after weekend revellers left many popular beaches in a sorry state.

Recurring incidents of public drinking and bad beach behaviour plagued the Dolphin Coast last festive season and again after lockdown.

The Courier has reported the issue many times, including last year with the story ‘Public drinking havoc‘ (December 27, 2019) and this year with, ‘Dolphin Coast community outraged over failure to enforce drinking in public bylaws‘ (February 26, 2020) and ‘By-law is clear: no drinking!‘ (February 28, 2020).

While eThekwini municipality passed new bylaws in 2016 making drinking in public a criminal offence, attracting a R2 500 fine, locals have questioned why this policing and law enforcement could not be mirrored on the Dolphin Coast.

Bylaw enforcement forms part of the core competencies for the Metro police, beside traffic enforcement and crime prevention. 

With the holiday season fast approaching, the Courier asked KwaDukuza municipality what measures it would put in place to ensure the safety of beachgoers.

KDM spokesperson Sipho Mkhize said there had been a meeting this week but because of the “sensitivity of the matters” the details could not be divulged. 

“We do not have a metro police that has the same powers like eThekwini. The powers and functions of our peace officers involves them policing traffic and assisting where they are mandated to, providing support to Saps if required. However, Saps are first required to undertake a threat assessment of the area to determine if security is needed and that will have a bearing on whether manpower is required.” 

KDM did not have the legislative powers to confiscate alcohol or police drinking on the beach or arrest transgressors, he said.

They would offer support where needed.

However, former town councillor, advocate and chairman of the Ballito UIP, Barbara Shingler, said the municipality was the only authority able to enforce bylaws.

The UIP and Chamber of Commerce had been engaging with KDM to find a solution.

“The critical issue is proactively preventing alcohol from reaching public areas and beaches. Once it enters those areas, it is too late,” she said.

Riaan Verster of the KwaDukuza Residents Forum said the economic future of KwaDukuza was at risk.

“If our beaches are not protected against drunken beach-goers illegally drinking alcohol in public and creating noise disturbance then we need to accept that economic development in the area will be negatively impacted as a result.”

Residents have weighed in on the discussion posting pictures and comments on social media. One parent said the drunken beach-goers were “running amok” and had spoiled the region’s popular beaches. 

“We cannot take our children to certain beaches or tidal pools on a weekend as some people are urinating wherever they feel like it. Something has to be done urgently.” 

KDM has two by-laws, promulgated in the provincial gazette of KwaZulu-Natal in 2005, dealing with drinking in public places. The by-laws relating to nuisance and public amenities addresses the issue and is clear.

The Public Amenities by-law states no alcohol is allowed to be consumed in public areas.

The Public Nuisance by-law includes offences against decency and morality and clearly prohibits loitering, littering, urinating and spitting in public.

Disturbance of the peace in any public place or being in public under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. 

Any person contravening the by-laws may be prosecuted and liable to a fine.

Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (Docrra) chairman, Deon Viljoen said:

“Docrra is alarmed and deeply concerned at the weekly reports of escalating lawlessness and public disturbance on the Ballito promenade and Dolphin Coast beaches. We stand with the community in a continued call for the enforcement of relevant bylaws and ordinances.”

Ballito Ward 6 councillor Tammy Colley said the festive season plan had yet to be finalised by council. She stressed the importance of getting it right in order to have a successful holiday season.