While the implementation of the safety and security plan has largely been successful except for minor hiccups, members of the public are urged to take precautionary measures along the beaches and in major events to ensure their safety. This came at a debriefing session among municipal officials, the police and events organisers today to reflect on the successes and challenges of the events since the opening of the season last week.
A two-year old girl was lost in Kings Beach and spent about four hours at the venue holding lost and found children in Hobbie Beach before being reunited with her evidently drunk mother. Seven children were lost and found that day and they were all reunited with their families.
Another major cause for concern was the alcohol abuse by children. Teenagers were seen drunk during the opening of season event. Two girls were saved from potential harm by an eye witness who informed the police after witnessing them “passing out” immediately they drank a substance they were offered by strangers. It is suspected that they could have been victims of rape shortly thereafter, but they were rescued and taken to hospital, thanks to the eye-witness.
Executive Mayor, Cllr. Zanoxolo Wayile, hereby expresses his disappointment at the apparent failure of some parents to keep their children safe when they are having fun at festive events and the misuse of alcohol by under aged youth. “While we do our best to ensure the safety of residents and children in particular during the festive season, we do not encourage parents to outsource their parental responsibilities to the state. It can never be right for parents to prioritise their own happiness above the safety of their children,” said Mayor Wayile.
Regarding the abuse of alcohol by children, Mayor Wayile said: “the future of this city and certainly of South Africa is at risk if children as young as eleven years think having alcohol for fun is “cool”. It is a disheartening betrayal of the sacrifices made by their counterparts in 1976 so they could have a brighter future.”
Members of the public are urged to take extra caution during the festive season. People should avoid taking any form of beverage offered by a stranger, children must be looked after and it should be born in mind that the beaches are alcohol-free zones.
Editor’s Notes: The stupid behaviour is not only confined to events but was observed by the Longhair and I when travelling home on Sunday evening surrounded as we were by loads of cars practising the African Weave. It was with a sigh of relief and lowering of heart rates when we were able to take the Mount Road off ramp and escape the clutches of the drunk and disorderly weaving from lane to lane on the freeway.
