Beware this silly season
BCM, SAPS to up security and increase policing
BUFFALO City Metro’s portfolio head of health and public safety, Helen Neale-May, confirmed that the CCTV cameras on the beachfront will be fully functional from the first week of December.
BCM will then look at ensuring cameras in the CBD, Leeches Bay, Duncan Village and Vincent are functional, to help in the fight against crime, which normally rises during the holiday period.
This was revealed this week when executive mayor Alfred Mtsi launched the metro’s festive season safety plan, with this year’s theme being ‘Rave but Behave’.
The mayor said while the festive season was a time for people to have fun, they should do so in a responsible manner.
“There will be zero tolerance to those who consume alcohol on our beaches. That is a warning.
“There are clear signs in all our amenities that talk to a list of don’ts, and we appeal to people to obey them,” Mtsi said.
He said people should obey the following: “Do not drink and drive. There are consequences to such an offense, including arrest and bail of R2 000.
“Don’t make fires at the beach, walk around alone, leave valuable items in a car, drink in public, drink and swim and invite criminals by flaunting valuable items.”
BCM traffic department commander, Quinton Chetty, concurred with the mayor that there would be zero tolerance with regards to drinking and driving, and drinking in public, with serious action taken against offenders.
“The joint operation centre will commence on New Year’s Eve at the Osner Hotel. And our festive plan starts with the road closure at Eastern Beach.
“We know an influx of people will be there.
“We are trying to [promote] safety with limited number of vehicles in the area,” he said.
SAPS general Lungile Nqamqhele also emphasised that drinking and driving would not be tolerated and that it was the police’s duty to make sure that citizens were safe at all times.
He said unlicenced taverns would be shut down.
The metro will kick-start the festive season from November 27 to 29 by switching on the Christmas lights in Mdantsane, King William’s Town and East London.
Then from December 12 to 21, there will be back-to-back carnival events in the three centres.