Businesses and residents of the greater Knysna municipal area are preparing to welcome visitors and friends over the annual festive season. Acting Knysna Municipal Manager Setloane Malepeng confirmed that the municipality is also 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. “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,” he continued. “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,” emphasised Malepeng. “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.”
Ensuring beach safety, 28 lifeguards 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 & Environment Society of South Africa has awarded their coveted Green Coast Award to Swartvlei beach,” he announced. “These awards recognise coastal areas where local communities lead the way in protecting biodiversity and promoting nature-based eco-tourism.
“While we are all looking forward to enjoying our beautiful coastal areas, please be wary of any seals you may encounter along the coastline,” he warned. “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. Please do not approach any wild animal you may encounter at the beach, as rabies is fatal in unvaccinated humans and animals. Please report seals with unusual or aggressive behaviour to CapeNature at 083 236 2924.
“We would all like to relax and enjoy the summer holiday, and we must allow each other to do just that by adhering to the by-laws and remaining courteous and patient,” Malepeng concluded. “If you are travelling out of town over this period, please do so safely. Then, once we’ve all had a good rest, let’s tackle 2025 together with new vigour. Thank you to our officials and members of staff who will be sacrificing time with their loved ones to keep our services running smoothly.”
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Emergencies all hours: 044 302 8911
Law Enforcement: 060 998 7045
Traffic: 060 998 6808
Fire department: 044 302 8911
Water: 044 302 6331
Waste management: 044 302 6405
NSRI: 082 990 5956
SAPS Knysna: 10111
All municipal by-laws may be found at https://www.knysna.gov.za/government/important-documents/bylaws/.