Planning and Partnership Ensure Safe Festive Season in George
Extensive planning, strong inter-agency cooperation and coordinated internal operations contributed to a safe and successful 2025/26 festive season in George, with municipal services responding effectively to high visitor numbers and peak holiday activity. The George Municipality once again worked closely with Provincial Traffic, NSRI, SAPS, Community Policing Forums and forensic services, while internal directorates operated in a coordinated manner throughout the festive period to ensure public safety, coastal management, traffic control and emergency response readiness.
Acting Municipal Manager, Mr Godfrey Louw, thanked all officials and partners for their dedication “The success of the festive season reflects solid planning, teamwork and the commitment shown by municipal staff and our partners under demanding conditions.”
The Executive Mayor praised the collective effort saying, “Despite exceptionally busy periods, the 2025/26 festive season was managed with minimal incidents. This is a clear reflection of effective planning, collaboration and responsible behaviour by both residents and visitors. We extend our gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this a successful festive season for George.”
Reporting period: 1 December 2025 – 5 January 2026
Beaches & Public Facilities
Blue Flag Beaches
George’s internationally recognised Blue Flag beaches, including Wilderness Beach ,Herold’s Bay Beach and Victoria Bay, Leentjiesklip Beach (pilot blue flag beach) and Gwaing River Mouth and Beach (Green Coast), operated under heightened safety, environmental and operational standards throughout the festive period, supported by lifeguards and emergency services.
Beachgoers (including SANParks Lagoon, Wilderness Main, Leentjiesklip, Herold’s Bay, Victoria Bay, Gwaing River Mouth and Beach, Conville Public Swimming Pool and Gwaing Day Camp Swimming Pool) – Total Visitor Volumes
Total recorded beachgoers (13 December 2025 – 5 January 2026): ±214 407 visitors
Figures reflect monitored beaches and facilities only. Visitor numbers for early December are not included, and actual festive-period totals are therefore higher.Peak Day Comparisons
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New Year’s Day peak:
- 1 January 2025: 42 578
- 1 January 2026: 29 049
NSRI Beach Activities
Beach Visitors per day +-720 – 800
Swimmers per day +_ 240 – 320
Average Preventions +_ 28 per day
(including rip current warnings, hazard prevention and water safety guidance)
| Total Operational Incidents | 42 |
| – First Aid / Minor Medical | 29 |
| – Non-Fatal Rescues/ Swim Assists | 9 |
| Medical Escalations | 3 |
| Non -Fatal Drowning-related | 1 |
Emergency Services
Fire, Rescue & Medical Response
| Incident Type | Count |
| Fire incidents (all categories) | 167 |
| Motor vehicle accidents | 44 |
| Rescue operations (water & confined space) | 5 |
| Aquatic operations | 1 |
| Hazmat (environmental) | 1 |
| Miscellaneous | 5 |
Social Services
27 households assisted with hampers, blankets, mattresses and toiletries
3 Pauper Burials
Law Enforcement
Alcohol Control & Compliance
- Alcohol confiscated:
- December 2025: 206 litres
- January 2026 (to 5 Jan): 116 litres
- Arrests: 1
Strict enforcement of the festive-season alcohol regulations, together with the prohibition of fireworks, contributed to reduced public disturbances, injuries and fire-related incidents.
Traffic Management
Traffic operations were conducted in collaboration with Provincial Traffic and SAPS, with targeted enforcement, roadblocks and visibility in high-traffic corridors and coastal access routes.
| Vehicle Check Points | 15 |
| Driving Under Influence | 26 |
| Reckless/Negligent Driving | 1 |
| Other Arrest | 1 |
| Impounding | 39 |
| Documentation (Drivers Licence, MVR, PDP etc) |
481 |
| Moving Violations (Disregard Traffic Lights, Stop Signs, Road Signs and Markings, Inconsiderate Driving, |
910 |
| Speed Offences | 30132 |
| Vehicle Fitness | 203 |
| Fatalities | 8 |
Planning & Development
Building Control
| Category | Total |
| New applications in circulation | 93 |
| Building plans processed | 249 |
| Approved building plans | 86 |
| Certificates of Occupancy issued | 388 |
| Inspections conducted | 739 |
| Complaints addressed | 17 |
Housing & Land Use Management
| Land use contravention inspections
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15 | ||
| Notices served | 5 | ||
|
2 | ||
| Municipal emergency structures built | 1 household | ||
| Households assisted with second-hand materials for construction | 4 households |
GO GEORGE Public Transport
Passenger Trips – December Comparison
| Year | Passenger Trips |
| 2022 | 430 872 |
| 2023 | 480 854 |
| 2024 | 488 064 |
| 2025 | 484 706 |
Public Enquiries
- Call Centre enquiries (5 weeks): 893
- Email enquiries: 63
