Over the past weekend, lifesavers received complaints from the public regarding drinking after a man was rescued from drowning in the surf.
Over the weekend of 20 and 21 September, when the prestigious Quicksilver surfing competition was held at Victoria Bay, near-drownings and complaints of drinking in public, and an absence of law enforcement and lifesavers, were reported to the George Herald.
Over the past weeks the situation was investigated. Local surfing and lifesaving clubs were contacted for comment and they all said drunk and disorderly behaviour demands a full-time law enforcement presence. On Saturday the Van der Westhuizen fami-ly, from Cape Town, complained that a car guard swore at them and that his aggressive behaviour marred their visit. Over the past years there have been numerous complaints about unruly guards. Beach goers want them to be screened and monitored and the George Municipality says it is still in the process of building up a database to register individual car guards.
Chantel Edwards-Klose, George Municipality media liaison officer, promised tight controls over December. "The consumption of alcohol is not permitted in public areas, including the beach, and strong control will be applied as per the 2013 season. Firm action taken by law enforcement over the 2013 festive season garnered congratulations from the residents and holiday makers who enjoyed the facilities at Victoria Bay."
Crowd management
Well-known guesthouse owner, surfer and activist Rod Hossack, said local authorities should consolidate with one municipality taking total charge. Currently, the bay falls under the fractured jurisdiction of both the George Municipality and Eden District Municipality. In addition to this, CapeNature and Transnet also control some aspects of Victoria Bay.
"Victoria Bay is overloaded in December, during sunny weekends and events. The ablution block for one, is not capable of handling 400 people per toilet, " says Hossack. There are six toilets. "A full-time manager and/or law enforcement officer should be on duty over weekends especially, with a 24-hour stand-by number where he or she can be reached. This individual has to check on every aspect of good housekeeping from sewerage tanks, the cleanliness of ablution blocks; controlling the lifesavers; the cleaning staff; controlling the camp sites; and ensuring that the jetty, braai and tidal pool areas are kept spotless."
According to Hossack, the tidal pools were last cleaned in 1929, when built. "The lifesaver equipment should also be kept in good condition. Vic Bay homeowners collectively pay R65 000 a month, but end up doing many of the clean-up functions themselves."
The directorate of community safety, Director Siphiwe James, gave the assurance that barbecues will not be permitted at Victoria Bay on the beach or picnic area. "Should any vagrants be seen in Victoria Bay, the matter can be reported to 044 801 6300 law enforcement. Lifesavers will be on duty over weekends and during peak season from now until May 2015. Personnel on-site, like lifeguards and law enforcement officers, are in radio contact with the George Municipality control room."
Sewage
James also said the municipal sewerage tank at Victoria Bay is emptied on a daily basis. "During peak period this tank is emptied more than once a day with a dedicated truck made available to Victoria Bay and all personnel on standby throughout the holiday season. All other sewerage tanks in Victoria Bay are located on private property and the Municipal Civil Engineering Services department must be contacted to arrange emptying. The numbers for notification are 044 8019262/9266 and over weekends 044 8016300."
Riaan van der Westhuizen (right) and his family feel tight control should be exercised on the car guards. One of the gaurds became aggressive and shouted abuse at the family. This thoroughly unpleasant experience shook them.
ARTICLE: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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