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City’s Festive Season Plans in Full Swing
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Date: 2021-10-03 21:44:42

City’s Festive Season Plans in Full Swing

20 December 2019

For Immediate Release

City’s Festive Season Plans in Full Swing

In anticipation of another bumper weekend the City Festive Season Management Committee is continuing to ensure that holidaymakers enjoy their stay in the city peacefully.

The Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda has reiterated that Durban will not tolerate drinking and driving, drinking in public spaces and on the beaches together with unruly individuals and groups who fail to obey the instructions of law enforcement officers. Any alcohol that is brought onto or consumed on the beaches, will be confiscated immediately and people will be spot fined.

Over the past long weekend more than 300 000 people were recorded to be at various beaches around the City.

Beachgoers are warned to swim within designated bathing areas, marked with red and yellow flagged beacons, whilst the lifeguards are on duty. Although 15 rescues took place last weekend at Central and South beaches the City is happy to report that no drownings occurred. Swimming hours are from 06h00 to 18h30 on central beaches. The public may not to swim at night nor should they swim at beaches that are not manned by lifeguards.

The Municipality’s Separated Children’s Programme implemented a few years ago continues to be a success. It is compulsory to ensure that children are tagged with wristbands once at the beachfront. The wristbands contain contact information of parents’ or guardians’ so that separated children can be easily re-united. Child minders are allocated at the following seven beaches stations, Addington, South, Wedge, North, Bay Lawns, Battery and Laguna.

Beach Buddies and Child Minders issued 55 786 wristbands between Wednesday, 11 December and Monday 16 December 2019. There were 226 separated children, 155 were reunited with their guardians before the close of the beach and the 71 remaining were taken to the overnight facility. and re-united that evening with their families. Only one child remained overnight.

Child minders are at the beach from 08h00 to 18h00. Children not re-united with parents at the close of the beach will be taken to the Claire Ellis-Browne School in Addington. When picking up their Children, Parents must produce their Identity Documents, as proof that they are the child’s legal guardian.

Buses and Taxis will be directed to park at the Drive-in site holding area to alleviated congestion on the main roads to the beaches. The Drive-in Site has facilities, such as showers, ablution and braai areas available. Shuttles to the beaches are free.

With the recent rains and increased water levels no persons are permitted to swim in rivers especially the river mouths. Umgeni Water has also issued a warning especially for people living downstream of Hazelmere Dam and near the Umdloti River, north of Durban, not to play near or swim in the Umdloti River due to water level increase from release from the dam.

The Municipality urges people to abide by the City’s by-laws to ensure a fun and incident-free holiday.

Patrons should also ensure that they keep the City clean by using the bins provided to dispose of their litter. Braaiing is only permitted at designated areas and patrons should ensure that the fire is completely doused before they dispose the ash in the bins provided. Take heed of the Information Boards erected at various points along the beaches.

Only Vendors with a permit are allowed to trade at designated areas. Applications to trade can be made from 40 Boscombe Place next to Metro Police, North Beach. The following is needed to complete the application, 2 ID photos, a copy of the applicant’s ID and a letter clearly stating what is to be sold and how. The cost of the permit is R95 per day.

The City is pleased to report that the individual that assaulted the Durban Solid waste Official last weekend has been arrested and charged accordingly.

The City calls upon all visitors and residents to have an enjoyable and safe festive season, by behaving in a responsible manner and heeding instructions of law enforcement personnel. In order to provide a clean and conducive environment, beach cleaning happens as per a schedule, but particularly at night when the beaches are quieter. Those who remain at the beaches till late are requested to cooperate with the Metro Police and Solid Waste Department and allow the collection of refuse and sweeping of streets to occur without interruption or threat. Breaking of glass is not acceptable as this can result in injury to people, especially children, on the beachfront and present a threat to walkers/runners/cyclists who use the promenade for training or recreation.

This is a period to rejoice and spend responsibly with loved ones in a safe and secure environment, respecting that others too want to enjoy their time in a similar environment.

ENDS

Issued by the eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit. For more information contact the Municipal Spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela on 060 966 4220