KOUGA – Kouga Local Municipality has officially launched its 2025 Festive Season Safety and Security Readiness Plan, designed to ensure that residents and holidaymakers can enjoy a safe, well-organised, and memorable summer across the region.
Running through to early January, the plan strengthens traffic management, boosts law enforcement visibility, and implements targeted community safety initiatives at key hotspots throughout all major towns.
Enhanced law enforcement presence
From 12 to 31 December 2025 and again from 1 to 4 January 2026, an expanded law enforcement team will be on duty, comprising 14 uniformed officers with 12 patrol vehicles, two Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) officers, three camera enforcement officers, and six temporary pointsmen stationed at strategic locations.
Officers will focus on maintaining traffic flow, conducting high-visibility patrols, ensuring pedestrian safety, and providing rapid response to incidents.
Operations will run in three daily shifts, with extended night coverage until 02:00 on weekdays and 06:00 on weekends.
Community safety and accessibility
The municipality urges all road users and visitors to cooperate with officers, follow traffic regulations, and make use of the available services.
Temporary Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) staff will assist with daytime point duties at major intersections to ease congestion, while law enforcement will maintain a strong presence at Blue Flag beaches in Jeffreys Bay and St Francis Bay, as well as at event hotspots.
Registered car guards will receive new jackets, and updated accreditation lists will ensure they are easily identifiable.
DLTC Services
Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) services will operate as usual, excluding public holidays.
From 15 December 2025 to 2 January 2026, renewals for driving licences and professional driving permits will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and no learner’s or driving tests will take place.
Full services and appointment bookings will resume on 5 January 2026. Registering Authorities will maintain normal operating hours, while the Traffic Department hours are:
• Monday – Thursday: 07:30–13:00 and 13:30–16:15 (cashier closes at 15:00).
• Friday: 07:30–13:00 and 13:30–15h00 (cashier closes at 14:00).
Strategic road closures and targeted operations
To protect pedestrians during major events, temporary road closures will be implemented at key locations:
• Diaz Street (Supertubes to Drommedaris Street): Opening of the Season and New Year’s Eve, with Shell Museum parking reserved for VIPs.
• Pepper Street: 31 December 2025 to 2 January 2026 (18:00–22:00), restricted to residents and emergency vehicles.
• Duine Road (Pellsrus): 1 January 2026 (05:00–20:00), accommodating residents, businesses, and emergency vehicles.
Law enforcement will also conduct targeted operations along key coastal routes, including Da Gama Road, Diaz Street, Dolphin Drive, and St Francis Street, with increased drunk-driving enforcement across Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, St Francis Bay, Hankey, and Patensie.
Joint operations with SAPS, neighbourhood watches, and private security will ensure a coordinated approach, while additional duties include stray animal control, quadbike beach patrols from 05:00, and regular vagrant response operations.
Supporting residents and visitors
A Pop-up Pay-My-Fine operation will be held on 10 December 2025 in Jeffreys Bay, providing residents with an opportunity to settle outstanding fines conveniently.
Through these measures, Kouga Local Municipality is committed to creating a festive season that is safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone.
