Launching this year’s festive season management plan, eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba said the Metro Police is working with various law enforcement agencies to maintain high visibility at all tourism sites and areas that have been identified as crime hotspots.

DURBAN is open for business and remains Africa’s playground, reiterated eThekwini Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba when he launched the City’s festive season management plan recently at uShaka Marine World. While holidaymakers have already started to arrive in eThekwini, the City has curated an exceptional line-up of events and experiences that perfectly blend its pristine beaches, lively nightlife, and rich cultural heritage. As part of delivering a safe and memorable festive season, Mayor Xaba said the Metro Police is working with law enforcement agencies including the South African Police Service, the Road Traffic Inspectorate, and private security companies to maintain high visibility at all tourism sites and areas that have been identified as crime hotspots. This is a strategic collaboration between the City and private tourism stakeholders with the unwavering support of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG).

Mayor Xaba said road safety is a key component of ensuring a peaceful and joyful holiday season. “Our law enforcement officers will clamp down on drinking and driving as well as reckless behaviour on roads. Law enforcement operations, including multidisciplinary roadblocks, will be conducted throughout the City to combat all forms of criminality. To control traffic on the beach, certain roads leading to the beachfront will be access controlled. The park-and-ride facility will be available at no cost every 30 minutes throughout the festive season,” he said. As part of heightened security, an additional 500 new Metro Police officers fresh from training- will be deployed to increase police visibility both on the road and in communities. This comes as the City recently procured over 170 high performance vehicles for the Metro Police. 

Mayor Xaba said other specialised units will be on horsebacks and bicycles at various tourism sites, assisted by CCTV camera monitoring and surveillance. In terms of beach safety, for the easy identification of children, the City has procured 200 000 armbands with seven tents erected along the beachfront to accommodate children who get separated from their parents. An overnight facility for separated children has also been secured. “In addition, the City is finalising the recruitment of 540 seasonal workers who will be deployed to various tourist destinations. These include 135 litter pickers and 104 beach guides who will be stationed across the various City beaches to help visitors. An additional 105 pool attendants will be deployed in various swimming pools to ensure the safety of bathers,” Mayor Xaba added. He said the City will continue to monitor and conduct weekly assessments of beach water quality, highlighting that there are also over 40 swimming pools open in various parts of the City for the public to enjoy. “We are confident of a bumper festive season this December and visitors must be assured that apart from beaches, there are many other attractions and hidden gems,” Mayor Xaba concluded. The beach water quality status can be viewed on  www.durban.gov.za/Beach-Status