uMhlathuze municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal has closed vehicle access to Pelican Island this festive season in a bid to stop excessive public drinking, littering and violent incidents.
Residents have petitioned for an alcohol ban and the enforcement of bylaws for several years as hundreds of revellers visit the popular recreational spot in Richards Bay each December.
Deputy mayor Christo Botha said while the municipality understood people needed a place for recreation and enjoyment, it could not be at the expense of the environment or the safety of citizens.
“The city’s municipal teams spend countless hours collecting trash and broken bottles, there were also other serious factors that led to this decision, one of which is the traffic problem along the narrow road. Getting on and off the island with no control over the vehicles is causing plenty of road rage. It is only a matter of time before we have a serious incident.
“A more serious concern is the potential for drownings and the difficulty for emergency teams to gain access to the island. I know there will be many unhappy people. However, there is nothing stopping them from walking to the island,” he said.
In the latest petition, launched about three weeks ago, Clarissa Lubbe said residents had safety, environmental and legal concerns over the island.
Over the years, we have witnessed tragic drownings, environmental damage and increased disorder that endangers the lives of visitors and harms the natural beauty of this area
— Clarissa Lubbe
“Pelican Island is a popular recreational destination for the community. It is a beloved spot for families, locals and tourists. However, its safety and environmental integrity are under threat due to unsafe activities, reckless driving, and the widespread consumption of alcohol in public spaces, which is against the law.
“Over the years, we have witnessed tragic drownings, environmental damage and increased disorder that endangers the lives of visitors and harms the natural beauty of this area,” she said.
Now it seems the ban may be permanent.
City of uMhlathuze COO Thembeka Khumalo told the Sunday Times the council resolved to transfer Pelican Island to Transnet to form part of the disused naval base at Naval Island.
But not all residents are happy with the ban.
“The municipality has now reacted after endless complaints, but a knee-jerk solution without attempting to secure and manage the situation is probably not in anyone's interest,” said Jeremy Smith, former chair of the Richards Bay Ratepayers and Residents Association.
In response to a Facebook post on the ban, resident Bobby Greenhash said it would create more problems for locals.
“As an old local, I take my dogs [there] almost every day. I am not condoning the littering or irresponsible behaviour of beachgoers but you cannot stop people wanting to go to the beaches and rec areas and party. Shutting the beach off to prevent people from accessing them creates a number of problems, especially for the locals who live here and enjoy the areas daily, just because of a few idiots.
“When you block off the areas, you are just going to drive the revellers to other areas, like alongside roads, the greenbelt and neighbourhood parks.”
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