Community safety officers are patrolling 3 North Coast beaches until the end of the Easter holidays to maintain public safety and prevent the drunken revelry which returned with lockdown level 1.

A joint partnership between KwaDukuza municipality, Umhlali Saps, the Ballito UIP and the iLembe Chamber of Commerce has brought the community policing initiative to fruition.

The issue of drunken beachgoers has been a recurring problem over the past year, with beaches often littered with empty alcohol bottles and rubbish on weekend mornings.

Ballito businesses took a hard-line stance at the end of 2020, threatening a rates boycott if adequate policing procedures were not enforced, following 4 stabbings on the beachfront at the start of 2020.

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The issue was temporarily solved with increased police presence at the end of last year.

With the resumption of beach access and alcohol sales this year, however, revelers returned in full force.

Since Friday, March 19, Saps and Ballito UIP officers have been positioned at the entrance to Clarke Bay, Thompson Bay and Salt Rock main beach.

In preparation for the Easter weekend, Saps officers will be on duty from 10.30am to 6pm on weekends and public holidays, with Ballito UIP officers present during the week.

This will continue until Monday, April 5.

“This was done in past festive seasons and it was very successful so we wanted to make sure there were prevention measures in place for Easter,” said Ballito UIP security manager, Dieter Fittkau.

Police warned that temporary roadblocks will be set up and officers can search cars for alcohol, braai equipment and weapons.

“The beaches have been busy over the past few days, but people have been abiding by the rules and there have been no incidents,” said Umhlali Saps spokesperson, Captain Vinny Pillay.

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Braaing and the consumption of alcohol on the beach are both illegal and can carry fines and/or a 6 month jail sentence.

“We also have extra officers on call for these upcoming weekends and a dedicated support vehicle should something happen overnight,” said Pillay.

If you intend visiting North Coast beaches in the coming weeks, make sure the alcohol and braai stay at home.

Breaking of by-laws must be reported to the KDM community safety control room at 060 714 3764 or 032 946 2711.