CAPE TOWN - Municipalities have expressed concern that with the scorching hot weather and it being the peak of the festive season, more beachgoers will break the law and consume alcohol in public.
This while the City of Cape Town’s enforcement agencies have confiscated 1 406 units of alcohol amounting to 959 litres since December 1.
George Municipality officers had to chase away people from the beach on Sunday. They brought 332.3 litres of various kinds of alcohol estimated to be valued at R10 129.
Richard von Willingh, George’s law enforcement chief, said it was against the law to drink alcohol at the beaches.
“Alcohol would have been confiscated if the offenders did not leave the beach area.
“Beachgoers should take note that no drinking is allowed at beaches or in any open space.
“We will not hesitate to prosecute people or confiscate their liquor if they do not comply with the municipal by-laws.”
Von Willingh said the municipality had appointed 30 beach monitors to assist with beach patrols and bag searches.
Police Minister Bheki Cele also advised police on Monday not to hesitate to make arrests in the illegal sale of alcohol.
About 20 000 litres of 70 000 litres of alcohol that was confiscated between April 1 and November 30 was destroyed at the police’s central liquor storage facility in Belhar on Monday.
Cele said the remaining alcohol was awaiting court cases.
Cape Town Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, said so far the confiscation rate was lower than in pre-pandemic years.
“The weather was not favourable to beach outings in the first half of this month.
“We expect the rate of alcohol confiscations and introduction of alcohol on the beaches to likely increase on the priority beach days over the next 10 days, given that we expect the beaches to be very busy.
“Alcohol is prohibited in terms of the City’s by-laws, and in the public interest,” said Smith.
He said they did not arrest people found in possession of alcohol at beaches and other public spaces, but people were instead issued with a R500 fine, and their alcohol was confiscated.
“They can reclaim their alcohol, but they will have to pay the fine, as well as an impoundment release fee.”
In terms of national disaster regulations compliance, Smith said in recent weeks they detected an increase in the number of fines issued for non-compliance with Covid-19 regulations.
“Particularly people not wearing masks and people disregarding the curfew hours.
“We remind the public that there is a midnight until 4am curfew in place, and anyone found on the roads during these hours without a permit or just cause to be out will be fined.”
Cape Times