Police deny turning a ‘blind eye’ to boozing
The visitors were warned not to consume liquor in public.
POLICE have denied any wrongdoing following last week’s front page Mid South Coast Mail photograph showing two SAPS officers turning a blind eye to boozing at the beachfront. However, the Mail stands by the published story as several Mail employees witnessed the party swell and booze flow throughout the day. In fact, it was the talk of the day.
Scottburgh SAPS communications officer Captain Vincent Pandarum responded saying the front page picture was ‘inappropriate’. Scottburgh SAPS management requested that the Mid South Coast Mail remedy the undue damage caused to the image of the SAPS by the picture and story.
Capt Pandarum said the liquor referred to was removed from the camp area and locked away in the visitor’s vehicle boot at the request of the police. He said those visitors were warned not to consume liquor in public and that police members did not turn a blind eye as alleged in the newspaper.
“On the day in question, 15 people were charged for consuming liquor in public, four for urinating in public and two for causing a disturbance. All these offences were in contravention of the Scottburgh municipal by-laws. It has been noted that the story and picture also featured in the social media. We request that you place matters in perspective by conveying the facts to your readership without delay,” said Capt Pandarum
He elaborated on the by-law: “The consumption of liquor in the Scottburgh main beach area is regulated by the Scottburgh Municipal by-laws. The municipality has signposts that expressly prohibit the consumption of liquor in this area so by consuming liquor in this area, one would be committing an offence. The law enforcement official, at his or her discretion, would either verbally warn an alleged offender not to consume liquor as this is prohibited by law; give a warning in writing and record such warning in a pocket book and the warning register kept at a police station or charge the alleged offender for consuming liquor in public.”
Scottburgh residents have lashed out on social media after the revealing front page picture. The photo, which showed the police blatantly ignoring a group of people drinking on the beach while other law enforcement officers dished out parking tickets, had residents fuming.
One resident said, “There just seems nothing we can do about it if the police ignore it.” Another said, “Why should one have to go the extreme to get rid of this sort of problem? This should just never happen! Simple as that.”
In order to attain Blue Flag status, which could attract more tourism and holidaymakers to the area, the beach and surrounding facilities may not include a braai area.
A shop owner in the area said this was not an isolated incident and that on Friday and Saturday nights, this was a regular spot for impromptu parties, leading to loud music, drinking and sometimes fights.
Another angry resident suggested that the matter be escalated to the police commissioner in Port Shepstone. “If that does not work, go to the next level. The police do not like this publicity. I have done this before and it does work. Crime is out of control all over now.” The municipality pointed out that the traffic officers were responding to the complaints of traffic congestion.
