Cape Town - With the festive weekends officially less than two weeks away, various City of Cape Town departments are gearing up to safeguard public spaces and facilities.
The City of Cape Town’s safety and security and community services and health directorates have released appeals to the public and visitors to the city to enjoy and celebrate the festive season responsibly this year.
In a conjoined statement, the City’s safety and security department stated that its enforcement officials would be deployed to areas of high foot and vehicle traffic, with specific assignments to carry out Operation Exodus, an initiative by the City that focuses on driver and vehicle fitness, particularly focused on long-distance public transport operators and in line with the City’s festive season preparedness plan.
Safety and security Mayco member JP Smith said that the department was expecting things to get very busy, given that this is the country’s first normal festive season in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said: “I know that it is an exciting time for many when people let their hair down after a long year. Not to be a Grinch, but we need to reiterate the words of caution that accompany the time of year because based on behaviour and statistics, it does appear that many people don’t know, or simply choose to ignore, the advice.
“The City has all hands on deck to make this a safer festive season for everyone, but it is a collective responsibility and we ask that individuals take accountability for their actions. Please, also be our eyes and ears and report anything suspicious or that’s posing a risk to public safety,” Smith said.
The Department of Community Services and Health on the other hand is already lambasting the number of transgressions and incidents its officials have come across on local beaches and other recreational spaces across the city.
Community services and health Mayco member Patricia Van der Ross said that since October 1, City enforcement agencies confiscated over 7 957 bottles of alcohol, amounting to 3 888 litres.
She said: “We have a series of key messages to promote water safety, and drinking and swimming are prominent because, unfortunately, it remains one of our biggest risks. Alcohol impairs your judgement but also makes it more difficult for our lifeguards to reason with beachgoers to remain in designated swimming areas.”
Since September 25, the City’s recreation and parks department has recorded seven fatal drownings and 10 non-fatal drownings at beaches along the city’s coastline, and one non-fatal drowning at a public swimming pool.
“I appeal to everyone planning a trip to our recreational facilities to keep your wits about you, listen to lifeguards and other staff, and keep a close eye on your children. I’d also like to remind the public that the City’s by-laws prohibit drinking in public. Anyone caught disregarding the by-law will be issued a R500 fine and have their alcohol confiscated,” Van der Ross said.
Van der Ross also revealed that the Community Services Department will this weekend be launching its Identikidz project at several beaches across the Cape.
“I encourage families to use this service but to also remember that this does not absolve you of your responsibility towards the children in your care. Safety in general, and drowning prevention in particular, must be top of mind for us all, at all times,” she said.