KZN beachgoers praise police

The high visibility of police along KZN’s beaches during the festive season has been praised by locals and residents alike.

Durban - The high visibility of police along KwaZulu-Natal’s beaches during the festive season has been praised by locals and residents alike, according to South African police minister Nkosinathi Nhleko.

Nhleko, speaking on the second leg of a whirlwind tour of the province’s beaches on Thursday, said: “There is a positive feedback around the way police have become visible around concentrated points of activities.”

He said that on a visit earlier in the day to the beaches of Margate, it was evident that people were happier at the increased visible presence of police officers in the beach area.

He said that safety was very much a social responsibility of all South Africans and not the police alone.

He said that individuals had to ensure that they were responsible in all they did during the festive season, including drivers.

“If you are going to sit behind the wheel and drive, don’t drink. That’s a starting point. And that message is not a message that must be set by the police, but by you as a driver.”

Nhleko said that no one, including police officers, were beyond the law and urged all to abide by the country’s laws.

Nhleko was due to head to Richards Bay later on Thursday, accompanied by acting National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Kgomotso Phahlane.

African News Agency