Anger over closure of beaches
Police minister Bheki Cele concerned about reckless behaviour of some bathers
THE government’s move to enforce stricter lockdown measures, including the closure of some beaches in Covid-19 hot spots, has drawn flak with DA politicians crying foul and vowing legal action to halt what they described as unconstitutional.
On the first day of the new measures, the Garden Route’s beaches from Keurboomstrand to Witsand were deserted as bathers adhered to the new restrictions.
Garden Route District Municipality mayor Memory Booysen (DA) said: “We are not satisfied with these regulations and we are challenging it with the Presidency.
“What we want is some leniency because why should we be treated any differently to KwaZulu-Natal? We want at least some people to spend time on the beach. This will have a devastating impact on the busi
THE government’s move to enforce stricter lockdown measures, including the closure of some beaches in Covid-19 hot spots, has drawn flak with DA politicians crying foul and vowing legal action to halt what they described as unconstitutional.
On the first day of the new measures, the Garden Route’s beaches from Keurboomstrand to Witsand were deserted as bathers adhered to the new restrictions.
Garden Route District Municipality mayor Memory Booysen (DA) said: “We are not satisfied with these regulations and we are challenging it with the Presidency.
“What we want is some leniency because why should we be treated any differently to KwaZuluNatal? We want at least some people to spend time on the beach. This will have a devastating impact on the businesses surrounding the beaches and the accommodation industry.”
Yesterday, Police Minister Bheki Cele went on a walkabout in Cape Town, on several beaches. His office said he had “noted with concern the reckless behaviour exhibited by some bathers” on the city’s beaches.
Cele’s office said the behaviour by some bathers on Cape Town beaches, flew in the face of the country’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. It said Cele would report his observation at beaches to the National Coronavirus Command Council.
In areas with the highest rate of infection, beaches and public parks will be closed for the duration of the festive season from December 16 (yesterday) to January 16. This applies to all of the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route District in the Western Cape. In KwaZulu-Natal, beaches and public parks will be closed on what are traditionally the busiest days of the season. These days are December 16, 25, 26, 31 and January 1, 2 and 3.
AfriForum, with The Great Brak River Business Forum and a guesthouse owner, have filed an urgent court application in the North Gauteng High Court in a bid for Garden Route beaches to reopen during the festive season. They want the court to rule that the regulation is invalid and unconstitutional.
In court papers, Great Brak River Business Forum chairperson Wilhelm de Wet, guest-house owner Louis Cook and AfriForum argue that the decision to shut Garden Route beaches between December 16 and January 3 was draconian and inconsiderate, and was against the interest of thousands of people who are employed in various sectors in the area. They argue that the decision will have a dire impact on the Garden Route region, saying it is the seventh most popular tourism destination in South Africa and businesses in the area rely on the festive season to provide a financial boon required to sustain their businesses.
Premier Alan Winde has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to reconsider the closure of beaches along the Garden Route.
“The decision to close the Garden Route’s beaches for the entire festive season will deal a devastating blow to that district’s economy, which is highly reliant on tourism for survival. This will result in major job losses and is of great concern to me,” said Winde.
DA leader John Steenhuisen has written to Ramaphosa and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma requesting that they justify why the decision was taken to close the beaches in the Garden Route District.
Steenhuisen said: “It was very clear from the start that the Western Cape did not want beach closures, nor did the province need them. The national government has blatantly ignored these requests.”
The president’s spokesperson, Tyrone Seale, told the Cape Argus: “The Presidency is well aware of the request and we will provide submissions to Mr Steenhuisen.”