As Cape Town gears up for what is likely to be a bumper extra-long weekend, particularly given the favourable weather forecast, the festive season preparedness plan is being finessed to include potential challenges posed by load-shedding. Read more below:

‘Should load-shedding continue in the coming days, we will augment our festive season readiness plan to include our load-shedding mitigation plans to make sure we cover as many areas as possible. Already the peak festive season period is incredibly busy, so should we have that added layer to manage, we will require everyone’s cooperation, including the public, and a lot of patience on all fronts,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

This week, the Traffic Service is winding down Operation Exodus on Christmas Eve. To date, 614 long distance public transport vehicles have undergone voluntary safety checks. Vehicle check points around public transport interchanges have seen 2 701 vehicles stopped and 10 845 fines being issued for various transgressions.

The City’s Law Enforcement Liquor Pound, meanwhile, has received 9 589 bottles of impounded alcohol since 1 October, amounting to 4 755,81 litres.

A comparison for the first three weeks in December 2019 (6 053 bottles/3 339,5 litres) and December 2022 (5 914 bottles/2 981,54 litres) shows a marginal decrease this year.

‘The difference is negligible though, and in all honesty, it would likely have been higher this year, if not for the adverse weather this past weekend that severely curtailed outings to recreational spaces. We simply cannot continue in this fashion. Each year, we see the consequences of drinking in public, and our beaches in particular, as well as drunk driving; Instead of taking the hint, people instead find ways to sneak their alcohol into these public spaces or insist on driving when they’re impaired, or picking unnecessary and often violent fights. Can you imagine how much pressure we could take off our enforcement and emergency services if only people toed the line?,’ added Alderman Smith.

With two priority long weekends on the horizon, and the potential of continued load-shedding, the Safety and Security Directorate advises the public of the following safety tips:
Always be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings
Do not drink and drive/walk and do not consume alcohol in public spaces, particularly around water bodies
Obey the laws of the road – do not speed, always ensure everyone in the vehicle is strapped in and drive with due consideration for other road users
When using ATMs or making any monetary transactions, be very alert and do not be distracted by anyone
Always ensure that your cellphone is charged so that you can call for help or get in contact with loved ones if need be
Always ensure that someone knows your whereabouts, what route you plan to take and when to expect you
If you are going on holiday, find a reliable house-sitter and/or ensure that there are no indications that the home has been left unattended

Safety tips during periods of load-shedding:
Make sure you are familiar with your area’s schedule so that you do not arrive home in complete darkness
Where intersections are affected, be vigilant for opportunistic crimes like smash & grab incidents
Do not drive alone, if possible, especially after dark
Ensure that batteries for automated gates, garage doors and security systems are in good working order and store temporary lighting such as battery-powered torches, gas lamps and candles in places where they will be easy to find in the dark.
Make sure that your vehicle always has fuel in the tank as most petrol stations are unable to pump fuel during power outages.
Traffic lights that are out and unmanned, should be treated as four-way stops at intersections.
Safety around the home: ensure that all non-essential appliances are switched off before load-shedding starts. Take extra care when using open flames or other heat sources for cooking or lighting. Ensure that gates, windows and doors are secured.

In the event of an emergency, please call the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.

Source: City Of Cape Town