Municipality 'ready for season'

KNYSNA NEWS - Businesses and residents of the greater Knysna municipal area are preparing to welcome visitors and friends over the annual "silly" season.

Acting Knysna municipal manager Setloane Malepeng confirmed that the municipality is ready to continue providing its services over the upcoming busy summer months.

"Our Integrated Seasonal Readiness Plan is in place and its special provisions will be implemented until 31 January 2025," said Malepeng.

"While we continue delivering our services as usual, preparations have been made to deal with increased demand within certain departments."

The updated and comprehensive plan addresses a number of key areas, with a focus on traffic control, law enforcement and safety.

"To ensure that all road users are safe on our public roads, eight traffic officers will be deployed throughout the municipal area for at least 11 hours per day.

"Approximately 20 point-duty officers will manage the increase in traffic volumes and facilitate improved traffic flow and road safety at hotspot intersections and crossings," he said.

'Be patient on roads'

"Please factor extra travel time into your plans, and be patient and courteous on our roads.

"Our law enforcement teams will be deployed throughout greater Knysna to ensure that all municipal by-laws are adhered to. Teams of permanent and temporary law enforcement officers are led by senior officers, and are augmented with 16 peace officers during the holiday season.

"We will uphold our zero tolerance approach to any and all infringements of our by-laws.

"By-laws such as the Road and Traffic by-law, Public Amenities by-law and the by-law for the Prevention of Public Nuisances exist to protect everyone's safety and enjoyment of the festive season.

"Transgressors may face fines of up to R1 000.00, or imprisonment.

Lifeguards

"Ensuring beach safety, 28 life-guards will be deployed to our beaches between 15 December 2024 and 15 January 2025. Eight lifeguards will be looking after beachgoers before and after high season, from 1 December until 31 January."

In case of emergency, contact the National Sea Rescue Institute on 082 990 5956.

"The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa has awarded their coveted Green Coast Award to Swartvlei beach," Malepeng announced. "These awards recognise coastal areas where local communities lead the way in protecting biodiversity and promoting nature-based eco-tourism.

Seal alert

"While we are all looking forward to enjoying our beautiful coastal areas, please be wary of any seals you may encounter along the coastline.

"There is currently an outbreak of rabies in the Cape fur seal population of South Africa. Rabid seals can become extremely aggressive and dangerous towards people and other animals, including dogs.