Cops to patrol Vaal River
2003-12-15 10:27
Vereeniging - Vaal Rand police on Monday appealed to boat owners to obey water safety regulations and to co-operate with police on the Vaal River during the festive season.
Superintendent Piet van Deventer said police would be keeping a watchful eye on activities on the Vaal River in the Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark areas and that strong action would be taken against transgressors.
"The police's water wing will be patrolling the river in order to ensure compliance with the regulations of the Water Act which include, among other things, that boats be registered and that persons under the age of 16 cannot pilot boats."
Police would also be focusing on people driving boats in a reckless and negligent manner and those driving boats under the influence of liquor.
Drunk boat drivers will be arrested on the spot, van Deventer said.
"We do not want to spoil people's fun on the river this season but at the same time police will not allow the negligence of some people to endanger the lives of others."
- SAPA