Durban's new Public Nuisance by-laws active from today

The by-laws which carry fines from R200 up to R40 000 are designed to ensure the municipality is kept in a condition that all residents and communities can enjoy. 

Community safety groups say they'll be watching to make sure Durban's Metro Police enforce the legislation. 

The Community Oriented Police on the Bluff, south of Durban says volunteers will be paying particular attention to Brighton Beach at the end of Foreshore Drive. 

COP's Rake Jeeves says they've been struggling for years to clean up the area.

"I've been fighting this for nearly seven years now, Brighton Beach on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings, there's no other way of describing it but its anarchy. People drinking alcohol openly in the public, breaking bottles, there have been stabbings down there. It's out of control," he said.

Jeeves says Brighton Beach has a lot to offer the city.

"It's a beautiful beach, you've got Cave Rock there one of the best surfing spots in the world, you've got the tidal pool. It's a brilliant beach for families to go down to. If they clean that area up, it's obviously going to help tourism," he said.

The Public Nuisance By-laws will help Metro Police crack down on issues such as drinking in public, littering and making excessive noise, among other things.

(File photo)