Roads, beaches and public amenities remain under heightened surveillance as Cape Town moves into the peak of the festive season, with the City warning that enforcement figures are expected to rise as celebrations intensify.

According to the City, its festive season safety plan has prioritised increased patrols on major routes and in high-footfall areas such as central business districts, beaches and public open spaces.

Law enforcement agencies have reportedly also focused on public transport vehicles departing from major interchanges on long-distance routes to ensure roadworthiness and driver compliance.

Since the start of December, these operations have resulted in 3 323 fines being issued for a range of offences. The most common violations include failure to wear seatbelts, unlicensed drivers and vehicles, and overloading.

In addition, enforcement services have made at least 157 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol.

The City’s liquor pound has received 1 942.74 litres of alcohol, equivalent to 4 201 units, confiscated during operations since 1 December.

“These statistics will increase in the days ahead, which is unfortunate, considering how many times we’ve sung the same refrain about responsible behaviour, in particular around alcohol use,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith

At waterside recreational facilities, lifeguards have recorded one first-aid incident at swimming pools. Beaches have been significantly busier, with 22 water rescues, 29 first-aid cases and 13 incidents of anti-social behaviour reported to date.

There have also been 11 non-fatal drownings. Three fatal drownings have been recorded in Cape Town; however, two are subject to police investigation, and one was bathing-related.

Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, expressed concern that eight of the non-fatal drowning incidents involved children aged between 10 and 17.

She urged parents and caregivers to supervise children at all times and to follow lifeguard instructions.

“On busy days, it can take but a second for a child to become separated from their family or caregivers. Identikidz helps reduce the stress and anguish by making sure we can easily reunite them,” said Higham

The City’s Identikidz programme has registered 25 830 children so far this season and successfully reunited 30 with their caregivers.

The City continues to remind the public to swim between the red and yellow flags, avoid alcohol around water, watch for rip currents and actively supervise children at all times.

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