Anger over public drinking in Port Alfred

ANGER is mounting in Port Alfred over the inability of police to curb rampant public drinking.

On the public holiday on Friday, hundreds of people partied the day and night away at the Krantz braai area on the busy R67, while others drank openly and played loud music in the West Beach car park, despite regular police patrols in the area.

Police spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender said several arrests had been made at the weekend for being drunk and disorderly and for driving under the influence of alcohol.

She said marshals had been employed by the municipality to educate residents and holiday-makers on offences relating to the bylaws, including drinking in public.

“Should the SAPS be asked to assist with unruly behaviour, we will act,” she said.

Surfer Mickey Witthuhn said on Facebook he could not understand how the municipality could ban fireworks but turn a blind eye to public drinking. Businessman Eugene Catherine slammed police for targeting motorists for spot checks in town, but doing nothing to curb drinking on the main road and beach.

DA chief whip Ray Schenk said national laws stated public drinking was illegal and that police needed to step in and prevent it.

Ndlambe Municipal spokesman Khulukile Mbolekwa said the local authority did not have the manpower to stop public drinking. “The police must enforce the law.”