THE Scottburgh beachfront has apparently been ‘invaded’ once again by taxi loads of drunken revellers who trashed the place.
“The day after, the beachfront looked like a tsunami hit,” was one comment.
Authorities seemed to turn a blind eye and someone said they even saw police officers joining in. Hopefully the latter is not true, but there’s no denying that the party went on unchecked.
We’ve been down this road before… many times, in fact.
- Just when we are hoping Scottburgh will be given Blue Flag status in the near future…
- Just when the town’s holiday establishments are gearing up for a bumper season…
- Just when we cheer about the “pop-up” shops for the empty Pavilion…
We kick off with chaos.
Are we over-reacting? We have names of holiday people who have just packed up and gone elsewhere. They were down here as a family, chaperoning a group of youngsters who have just finished writing matric.
So that’s holiday money right out the window before the season has even kicked off properly.
Once again, we appeal to the powers that be to put their heads together and find a compromise that will benefit Scottburgh, all its law-abiding residents and visitors as a whole.
- It’s against the law to drink in public. Fact!
- It’s against the law to be drunk in public. Fact!
- It’s against the law to sell liquor without a licence. Fact!
All we ask is that our lawmen and women enforce those laws without fear of favour. There’s no fight against anyone having fun and using the braai areas. The beachfront is for everyone to enjoy, but not to abuse.
Even Ugu South Coast Tourism is appealing for people to respect each other, to follow the rules, listen to the people who are in place to protect them and enjoy a fabulous holiday on some of the finest beaches South Africa has to offer.
But they emphasise that we all have to play by the rules.
All local media houses are partnering with Tourism to spread that appeal and notices will be appearing shortly in print and on radio.
We publish this comment and story this week in the hope that it shocks our security people into being proactive before the season is in full swing. We would hate to have these headlines when the crowds are here.
