Durban Metro Police descend on offenders along North Beach
Durban Metro Police have been cracking down on beachgoers and other revellers drinking in public.
"There is a bylaw saying - no drinking in public. They should comply with all reasonable instructions from police officers. If they become confrontational, then what officers will do is arrest them and they would be liable to pay a fine," Senior Superintendent Parboo Sewpersad said.
Sewpersad says they have confiscated crates and cooler boxes filled with alcohol from beachgoers this past weekend. He says those caught drinking in public will be slapped with fines and face paying an admission of guilt penalty of R2500.
"Driver behaviour needs to change and they need to heed the laws. I'm aware we are going to address it jointly with RTI, SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority.
If people are arrested for drunken driving, they will have to go through a process - it's a Schedule 5 offence," Sewpersad said.
Metro Police say thousands of people have been flocking to Durban’s Golden Mile since Friday. They say people need to be reminded that the city’s done away with the annual beach permit system. This means that parking bays are available to private vehicle owners on a first come first serve basis. However, buses and mini-buses will be directed to the old Durban drive-in site. Sewpersad says people will be shuttled to the beach from there.
Sewpersad says this is part of efforts to ease traffic congestion on the beachfront. He says reckless and negligent driving is still a huge problem. So is drunk driving.
"Get a sober driver to take you. Hire a cab or an Uber to take you. Don't take a chance and driver, compromising an innocent party."
Hundreds of Metro Police officers and trainees have been deployed to keep our city safe over the festive season.
More than R1 000 000 local and international visitors are coming to our shores for Christmas and New Year celebrations. City officials have agreed to carry out continuous patrols along the beachfront and at hotspots across the city.
We will have a zero-tolerance approach to crime and traffic contravention. We are also launching the 'don't text and drive' campaign."
