City notes planned beach protests

29 January 2021

The City of Cape Town is aware of the planned protests at some of the city’s beaches tomorrow, 30 January 2021. We request those who plan to participate to please act responsibly, to wear their masks and practice social distancing, and to be mindful that gathering on the beaches is prohibited by National Regulations as the beaches are closed to the public. Read more below:

‘The City of Cape Town notes the planned protests against the closure of beaches. The City supports the call to reopen beaches and public open spaces. However, we are compelled by law to ensure the regulations are adhered to and want to remind all that it is against the Alert Level 3 regulations to go on to the beach,’ said the Spokesperson for Law Enforcement, Principal Inspector Wayne Dyason.
 
The closure of beaches is a national regulation within the Disaster Management Act, and the South African Police Service remains the lead agency in the enforcement of regulations.
 
Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato, has written to the President to ask for the lifting of the ban.
 
‘Still, the City’s enforcement agencies are required to support the South African Police Service where needed, and in ensuring that everyone adheres to the national Alert Level 3 regulations,’ said Principal Inspector Dyason.
 
Cape Town remains a COVID-19 hotspot, until further notice from National Government.
 
Beach Lifeguards are on duty with a skeleton crew of no more than six per beach, as part of the City’s pro-active engagement strategy. Although swimming is currently prohibited, these lifeguards are patrolling the recreational beaches with the specific objective of interacting with people who might be transgressing the National COVID-19 regulations.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office