New warning signs have been installed at the entrances to Sandy Bay, prohibiting nudity and warning of fines. These signs are located on the beach in Cape Town, which has long been used by naturalists.
The signs also prohibit sexually inappropriate behavior and contain a warning about penalties. Thus, the signs, which SANParks stated were under legal review since March, have come into effect.
The installation of these signs is taking place ahead of planned joint security operations in the Sandy Bay area as summer approaches.
The Community Crime Prevention organization reported that over the past year it has collaborated with SANParks, SAPS, City Law Enforcement, Metro Police, and private security structures due to safety concerns in the area.
Funding for the signs was provided by CID Llandudno and residents of Kronenzicht. The signs state that 'nudity and/or sexually inappropriate behavior' are prohibited on the beach and pedestrian paths, and violators may be fined. It is also noted that the area is monitored, including the use of drones.
SANParks previously stated that the beach had never been officially recognized as a nudist spot. As early as this March, the organization emphasized that Sandy Bay is part of Table Mountain National Park and 'is not and has never been officially designated as a nudist beach.' Furthermore, it was stated that swimming nude is not permitted.
At the time, SANParks reported that the new signs were undergoing legal scrutiny. However, these signs have provoked a reaction from naturalists, who argue that nudity should not be considered in the same context as sexually inappropriate behavior.
Naturalists' lawyer Martinius Pretorius told CapeTalk that the South African Association of Naturalists and the Western Cape Naturalists Association are preparing official correspondence to SANParks, the City of Cape Town, and CapeNature regarding these signs.
Pretorius stated: 'We are not asking SANParks to do nothing. We are asking them to explain their legal position and talk to us before they start enforcing the rules.' He added that naturalists support measures against sexually inappropriate behavior, harassment, and crime in Sandy Bay but demand clarity regarding the legal status of nudity.
Despite its long association with nude bathing, Sandy Bay has never held official status as a naturalist beach. Previously, a publication about Cape Town beaches described Sandy Bay as Cape Town's 'unofficial nude beach.'