Phiwokuhle Mothemela
The Democratic Alliance in Nelson Mandela Bay has expressed concern that the beach safety office at Hobie Beach remains closed despite an earlier announcement that it would be used as a joint operations centre.
On Thursday, Wards 1 and 2 councillors and the party's spokesperson for Safety and Security conducted an oversight visit to the venue where it was closed.
DA spokesperson on Safety and Security Jason Grobbler said that according to notes taken during the metro's safety and security committee meeting, the centre was meant to be operational from December 6th following the launch of the Metro's safer festive season programme in November.
Grobberlaar says representatives from metro and South African police, traffic, security, and health services are meant to keep the centre open; however, until now, none of that has happened.
"We are extremely concerned about this because a centre like this makes the response to emergencies experienced by locals and visitors effective."
"Immediately after this oversite visit, I will write to the acting executive directorate to inform him of the matter," he added.
A man, who said he is a cleaner on the promenade and requested to remain anonymous, also expressed concern over the lack of police visibility.
He says on Wednesday morning, a runner was mugged on the beachfront.
"I ran after him and managed to pin him down. When I searched him, I found a phone and wallet."
"There is no sight of metro police on the beachfront," he said.
At the end of October, DA party leader John Steenhuisen also visited the Yacht Club at Hobie Beach, which had earlier been burgled.
Steenhuisen said it was a no-brainer during his visit that city authorities should tap into the tourism sector's low-hanging fruit.
He said the 7th administration has prioritised growth and jobs over the next five years, warning that if this were not achieved, it would be challenging to keep the country's socio-economic fabric together.
The DA leader said the country's tourism sector is one of the key drivers of economic growth and job creation, saying for every 30 tourists visiting South Africa, one job is created.
