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- The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro made the decision to close the braai concrete facility to break up the beach meetings.
- The bulldozer driver attempted to barricade the entrance to the facility with stones, but instead improvised and demolished the braai stands.
- The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has called the measure vandalism.
The Nelson Mandela Bay government is receiving a huge backlash after much-loved braai stands along Marine Drive were demolished in an effort to deter beachgoers and as such prevent the spread of Covid-19.
On Friday, bathers clashed with law enforcement officers and lifeguards after they tried to break up large gatherings on the beaches.
Amid clashes on various beaches, a municipal bulldozer emerged that flattened the braai concrete points.
The decision to close the facility was made by the subway coronavirus command council and stakeholders to save lives, Mayor Nqaba Bhanga said.
The command council’s instruction was for the excavator driver to flood the entrance of the facility with rocks as a barricade.
Bhanga revealed that when the driver noticed it was not working, he improvised by demolishing the braai supports and then used that material for the barricade.
The mayor defended the driver, saying he only demolished the braai stands that were already sick.
He added that the city planned to renovate the area anyway.
Bhanga said measures must be taken to prevent any possibility of infections due to the lawlessness taking place in the area.
He said a fence was initially erected in the area to keep people at bay, but it was removed.
Bhanga said 5,000 people flocked to Hobie Beach over the weekend and they were not wearing masks or social distancing.
The man arrested after Cape Town journalist Monique Mortlock was assaulted during a Fish Hoek beach protest on Saturday was sent to the district surgeon to determine whether he needs a psychiatric evaluation. | @itchybyte https://t.co/9HLXSe0YW9
– News24 (@ News24) February 8, 2021
“There was no concerted effort to destroy the braai stands. That place is not suitable to house people anyway because there are no sanitary facilities. We need to close those facilities properly. The driver made an alternative plan,” Bhanga said.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Chamber of Business (NMBBC) has called the action vandalism of municipal property.
The ANC in Nelson Mandela Bay said: “[As] before the ANC, we will never sit back and watch the prosecutor disrespect and mock the people of Nelson Mandela Bay, with their autocratic leadership style and selfish interests, which has been clearly demonstrated with the demolition of municipal property in the form of braai it was found along Marine Drive last week, “said regional task force coordinator Luyolo Nqakula.
NMBBC CEO Nomkhitha Mona said the chamber noted, with great concern, the increase in the number of reports of rampant theft and vandalism of infrastructure.
Mona said:
The Nelson Mandela Bay Chamber of Business reads about the metro’s decision to demolish the braai facility along the beach. This action defies all logic. It is inexplicable and should not have been carried out, whatever the reason.
Mona said the demolished beachfront facilities have been a long-standing symbol of how citizens can enjoy the beautiful lifestyle offered by the conveniences of the city.
“This is against development and progress. Instead of destroying property, the city should build facilities for the enjoyment of both citizens and tourists,” Mona said.
“What is the difference between vandals and decision makers on the subway? If this is the model and example that city leaders have to offer, then woe to us all.”
“Someone at that meeting should have stopped this irrational decision. This obsession with trying to control people’s behavior due to Covid-19 has to come to an abrupt end,” Mona said.
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