Eastern Cape environmental authorities on Thursday arrested two motorists and impounded a 4×4 vehicle in Port Elizabeth in one of the first cases to go to court since the beach ban was introduced last month.
Eastern Cape environmental authorities on Thursday arrested two motorists and impounded a 4×4 vehicle in Port Elizabeth in one of the first cases to go to court since the beach ban was introduced last month.
Marine and Coastal Management regional head Eugene Swart, who is also responsible for tracking poachers in the area, told CARtoday.com the motorists were arrested a day after their vehicles were spotted driving in the city’s Sardinia Bay area for the second time in as many days.
Swart said a Land Rover had been impounded and scuba equipment and diving suits had been found in the back of the vehicle. The second 4×4 vehicle will be impounded soon.
If found guilty, the pair could face fines of up to R10 000 each. The motorists were released on bail on Thursday night and will appear in court on Friday. They will also have to apply and convince the court to release their vehicles.
CARtoday.com will keep you updated on developments.
Meanwhile, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal Market Research Manager James Seymour said that the new regulations had already caused a drop in visitors to the area. "The regulations are extreme. We realise there is a need to regulate, but this blanket ban is detrimental to the tourism industry," he said.
"Already we have noticed a drop in tourism and, while we understand the need to protect the turtles and such, perhaps this should be looked at again and demarcated areas that allow for vehicles on to the beaches should be instituted," he added. Some holidaymakers have cancelled Easter holiday plans in these areas, and this was also affecting people in the area who would be employed to work in the camp sites and holiday areas.
The fear is that many of the visitors who have cancelled would rather go to areas like Mozambique where they can drive on beaches.
