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By Siphokazi Vuso 
1 hour ago
Cape Town – Tensions are rising along the Garden Route after the Western Cape Police Commissioner’s Office Yolisa Matakata received a complaint that the SAPS and the townships of George and Knysna had been lax on the oversight of disaster regulations, especially on beaches.
The investigation comes as the Western Cape Superior Court reserved a ruling Monday in the district attorney’s quest to overturn regulations to close beaches in the Garden Route district, citing economic pressure on businesses and lack of evidence. scientific evidence that beach gatherings contribute to the spread of the virus.
Virgil Gericke, the leader of Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners (PBI), filed a complaint alleging that people were “swimming normally” at Knysna and George beaches over the weekend.
In the complaint, Virgil said: “I am George’s resident on Garden Route. In areas like Herolds Bay, Leentjiesklip, and Knysna Waterfront, people were swimming normally. This was done in full view of law enforcement officials. “
Speaking to the Cape Times on Monday, Gericke said that after noticing many complaints on Facebook that there were people on the beaches, he went to investigate and found people swimming.
“We have been told that the police only enforce the statutes on the beaches. The key question is, why didn’t law enforcement inform SAPS about people swimming on the beaches?
“SAPS has the authority to enforce disaster regulations and prohibit people from accessing the beaches. We are also concerned about the allegation that SAPS did not act to get people off Leentjiesklip beach. The police must act if any law is violated. This is a very serious pandemic and all measures must be taken to combat the virus, ”he said.
The leader of the Independent Civic Organization of SA (Icosa), Dawid Kamfer, echoed Gericke’s comment, adding that people were arrogant in thinking they know how to swim.
“It seems that we are back in apartheid, where white people can go swimming and our people are sitting at home. What they must understand is that people die every minute from Covid-19. We see on television and we see in the newspapers, all beaches must be closed. There is no confusion about that. I was on a beach and one of the women said that I’m paying taxes, so they can’t tell me what to do, ”said Kamfer.
George Municipality spokesman Athane Scholtz said police were in a better position to comment, as local law enforcement was responsible for “only municipal statutes, such as alcohol on the beach.”
“The municipality of George cannot comment on the presence of people on the beaches, as it is not the mandate of the municipality to enforce national laws, only municipal statutes, such as alcohol on the beach.
“There are municipal police at the entrances to the beaches where those who choose to go to the beach in search of alcohol, firearms and other illegal items are searched, which are confiscated, or people who are denied access due to the Relevant statutes that were exceeded. There are also lifeguards on the beach who act on the same principle, ”said Scholtz.
Knysna municipal spokesperson Nwabisa Pondoyi referred the questions to SAPS, saying: “The municipality is not aware of the allegations contained herein and SAPS operations are within its operational mandate.
“Ours, through our law enforcement officers, is to provide support and convey the regulations to the public.”
Police spokesman Brigadier Novela Potelwa said Monday that a member of the public filed a complaint with the provincial commissioner, and the commissioner responded by first determining the authenticity of the claims.
He did not comment on the details of the investigation, saying only: “How the complaint was finalized is a matter between the complainant and SAPS.
“It is worth noting that the SAPS in the Western Cape is busy executing its safest holiday season program which includes policing beaches and other public places, keeping Covid-19 regulations in mind.
“SAPS forces, along with other law enforcement agencies, are working hard to ensure that all residents and visitors to the Western Cape are and feel safe,” said Potelwa.
DA MP Siviwe Gwarube said on Monday of the court case: “Please note that the Western Cape Superior Court considered DA’s arguments for having beaches in the South Cape (reopened).
“The trial was reserved. We trust that the sentence will be handed down in the next two days ”.
Gwarube said they were of the opinion that the restrictions would kill the tourism industry in the area, resulting in the loss of jobs.
“Ours is a fight to save lives and livelihoods. Millions of South Africans add to the unemployment figures every quarter.
“We cannot allow this to happen to more people in this region when steps can be taken to suppress the spread of the virus while keeping the beaches open.”
[email protected]Cape times
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