Ban on tents and vehicles

Ban on tents and vehicles

HOLIDAY-makers who plan on pitching tents illegally along Jeffreys Bay’s beachfront will be in for a nasty surprise this year.

The town’s law enforcers have adopted a zero-tolerance approach to illegal camping, which is a big problem particularly on New Year’s Eve.

Kouga Executive Mayor Booi Koerat said pitching tents in public open spaces, including picnic areas and beaches, was prohibited. Only gazebos and beach umbrellas will be allowed.

He said public open spaces at Pellsrus and Paradise Beach were the major problem spots, but that the municipality, in conjunction with the police, have put in place extra measures to ensure that these areas would not be transformed into impromptu camp sites by visitors.

He said the Pellsrus picnic area, off Duine Road, and Paradise Beach picnic area would be closed to vehicles from 12:00 on Friday, December 30, 2011, to 12:00 on Tuesday, 3 January 2012.  

As an additional safety measure, Duine Road in Pellsrus will also be closed for vehicles from Da Gama Road to Rob Street over this same period.

“This is because the area fills up with pedestrians during this time,” the mayor explained.