eThekwini Metro vows crackdown on public drinking in Umdloti

Those planning on visiting Umdloti’s beaches this festive season better leave their alcohol at home, or face being turned away.

This is according to eThekwini Metro police spokesperson, Colonel Boysie Zungu.

The Metro police’s festive plan officially kicks off on Monday, but Zungu said they may increase visibility sooner.

This is good news for Umdloti residents and visitors who already had to put up with out-of-control public drinking and misbehaviour at the tidal pool on Sunday.

The Courier witnessed scores of people drinking from cooler boxes in their cars and on the sidewalk along the tidal pool.

Despite additional security guards being dispatched early in the day and a series of Saps and Metro police interventions, intoxicated revellers could not be deterred.

The festive plan should take care of this since in most cases it will prevent alcohol from reaching the beach in the first place.

The road into Umdloti will also be closed to non-permit holders once all public parking bays are full.

“All vehicles will be stopped and checked at the circle. Vehicles carrying alcohol will be turned away. Cooler boxes will also be checked when people walk in and patrols will monitor the beach and do random spot checks of bathers to check for alcohol consumption,” said Zungu.

Alcohol will not be confiscated or kept by the police as they do not want to be held responsible for any losses.

Zungu said only opened alcohol could be poured out and bathers would be asked to leave the beach if they had sealed alcohol in their possession.

He conceded it would be difficult to police the situation at premises selling alcohol along the beachfront, while residents could potentially access the beach directly from their flats with alcohol in their cooler boxes.

Zungu added that illegal parking would also not be tolerated. Vehicles blocking roads or entrances and exits, or posing a danger to fellow motorists, would be towed away.

To help them plan better for future years, Zungu urged the public to direct complaints directly to the Metro police. Either to a Metro police officer on patrol or at the traffic circle. Alternatively, the control room can be contacted at 031 361 0000.

“The downside to reporting issues to security companies only is that we don’t have first-hand accounts of the complaints,” he said.

He urged the public to assist the police by obeying all by-laws and reporting complaints before taking videos as this would help police to arrive on scene timeously and charge the offenders.

Essential to the success of the festive plan is the traffic circle being operational. It is currently being tarred and Umdloti Smart Village precinct manager Vicky Schnetler said it should be open to traffic from next Wednesday.

Follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube for breaking news

WhatsApp Broadcast Service: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BdGZsGJEAf04AXZ2yLWi8T