Despite the overcast weather, some holidaymakers are making the most of their time on Durban’s beaches.

Elias Pobe and his family traveled from Johannesburg to spend the festive period in Durban. They started their day with a swim at the beachfront and plan to spend New Year’s Eve in Umhlanga, north of Durban.

His wife, Omaaki, says Durban has become their second home.

“We came down to have a lekker chill before the New year. We’ve been just glossing through the emails around here and publications to see where the fun is going to be. But we’ll be at Umhlanga along the coastline. It’s nice and vibey there and we’ll be there with the family to celebrate the New Year. My plan for next year 2025 is I want to see ourselves on a cruise going to Italy next year. I don’t know. I’m coming back to Durban. Durban is our home. Our second home.”

Meanwhile, over 40 motorists have been charged after being pulled over at a roadblock in Umlazi in the south of Durban ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Members of the police, eThekwini Metro Police and traffic officers took part in the early morning roadblock.

KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma says the roadblock was aimed at encouraging adherence to traffic regulations.

One of the people who was charged is an undocumented foreign national who drove an unroadworthy vehicle that could not reverse.

A taxi driver was also found to be transporting passengers under the influence of alcohol at 7;30am.

Duma elaborates, “So the issue of the taxis, they are notorious. We’ve almost seen 621 since this morning 7 o’clock. Already one driver has been found to be drunk at half past 7 in the morning carrying passengers. One foreign driver driving without all proper paperwork. So, already is going to be arrested in the process. So, I’m sure our visibility is yielding positive results.”