UPDATE: Nudist beach – when will all be revealed?
While the public protector continues to investigates Mpenjati's controversial nudist beach, the municipality has removed its signs.
WOULD-BE nude beach-goers will have to wait patiently to hear the outcome of the Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s report, rumored to be released early this year.
The hot debate about whether Mpenjati beach should or should not be declared a nudist beach has been raging since 2014, when Ray Nkonyeni Municipality granted it nudist beach status‚ arguing it would boost tourism in the area.
Reverend Mike Effanga, who heads up the Concerned Citizens of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM), told the Herald recently that as the public protector’s investigation is ongoing in order to precipitate an informed report, and further added that persons of interest in this regard may have to disclose how naturists where allowed to illegally utilise the beach as a nudist facility.
He confirmed that the signage erected along the beachfront in 2014, was removed by RNM late in December last year.
This indicates that the signage was pretty much illegal. Whatever occurred as a permissive derivative of the signs, was also illegal, – Rev Effanga
He pointed out that through consultation with the public protector, the municipality had made a commitment to remove all the signs; and additionally enforce all municipal bylaws at Mpenjati and all other beachfronts within it’s jurisdiction, inclusive of RNM.
“Such an assertive enforcement regimen, in our view, should prevent mischievous relocation of the signage to any another beach within RNM,” he added.
“We are delighted, so far, by the public protector’s professional diligence, and we look forward to the final report with cautious optimism. We hope that at some point we can ascertain culpability for these illegal actions initiated at Mpenjati.”
According to Times Live, Adv. Mkhwebane told reporters at a recent briefing in Pretoria that they had been approached by pastors from the Concerned Citizens Group.
“They complained that the municipality approved an application by an association of nudists to use parts of the Mpenjanti beach to enjoy their nudity,” said Adv Mkhwebane.
“The municipality appears to believe there will be economic spin-offs for the area if this is allowed to go ahead. The pastors‚ on the other hand‚ are worried that children will be exposed to nudity; that there will be promiscuity; and possibly‚ prostitution. Then there are traditional leaders who are of the view that this is a sacred place.”
She added that her deputy‚ Kevin Malunga‚ is handling the matter.
When the Herald asked when Rev Effanga expected the report, he replied:
“The public protector needs sufficient time, without any pressure, to methodically chronicle and analyze their findings, for the subsequent report. We read on a news site that the report was expected early this year. We are independently unaware of the veracity or source of such reported schedule.”
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