While the rate remained alarmingly high, staff confiscated 20% fewer bottles of alcohol from beaches and other public facilities year after year.
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Between October 2023 and January 9, 2024, City enforcement officers confiscated 17 689 bottles of alcohol, totalling 9 375.59 litres.
Officers confiscated 21 907 bottles (10 354 60 litres) in the same period last year.
Area West, which includes the beaches of Kalk Bay, Muizenberg, Fish Hoek, Hout Bay, Camps Bay, Clifton and Maiden’s Cove, accounted for 40% of all confiscations (7 140 bottles).
The New Year’s long weekend was the busiest, with the pound receiving over 4 000 bottles during the time period.
‘I’m cautiously optimistic about the decline, and can only hope that it is a sign of things to come in future. While we will never be able to confiscate every bit of alcohol brought to a public space, or have a list of definitive reasons for trends, we do have some anecdotal evidence from our staff’s interactions with the public. Among the reasons shared, include that some have opted to set up inflatable pools at home, and party there instead of heading out, while others cited financial reasons, or just leaving the alcohol at home for later.’
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‘As with all things, there’ll always be those looking for ways to outwit our staff, but we quickly cotton on to their tricks. And to those who are able to make a day of it without alcohol, we thank you for taking accountability for your own actions, and the safety of others, and for easing the load on our enforcement and emergency services staff,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith.
The City’s by-laws prohibit the introduction and consumption of alcohol in public areas such as parks, beaches and swimming pools.
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Those who violate the law face a R500 fine.
The City’s impoundment policy allows confiscated alcohol to be tagged and stored, with unclaimed alcohol destroyed after three months.
Individuals can reclaim their impounded alcohol after paying the fine and an impoundment release fee of R748.
In one such incident this season, officers confiscated 56 ciders and beers, as well as an open bottle of spirits, in Sea Point on December 18; the alcohol was returned the next day.
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Officers uncover an illegal alcohol distillery in Khayelitsha
Picture: CoCT / Facebook
