Cape Town clamps down on beach drinkers

Record amount of alcohol seized on Cape beaches.

Cape Town police have seized some 5,000 litres of alcohol – around 7,000 bottles – from beachgoers in the Cape area since the summer season began in earnest in December.

Police say this is triple the amount of booze seized during the same period in 2015, and represents a steady annual increase in recent years.

The yearly alcohol crackdown, which is part of efforts to reduce drownings and violence, comes as Cape Town nears the peak of its summer season which in turn coincides with the New Year festivities.

City authorities have reminded beachgoers that the possession and consumption of alcohol on beach areas is illegal and that those caught breaking the law will receive a court summons and a R500 fine, as well as having their drinks confiscated.

More than 10 per cent of South Africans are classed as having "alcohol use disorders", and the government estimates that alcohol abuse and its associated social and health consequences, including employee absenteeism, costs the South African exchequer more than R300 billion annually.