Law enforcement beefed up in South African cities for New Year festivities

JOHANNESBURG – Law enforcement agencies say policing in major South African cities has been beefed up as revelers prepare to usher in the New Year.

In Johannesburg, much of the attention will be focused on the downtown neighborhood of Hillbrow where residents in high-rise apartment buildings traditionally celebrate New Year's Eve by hurling large appliances onto the streets below.

Although the practice is said to be gradually dying, the tradition of throwing anything from unwanted or damaged toasters, fridges, televisions and couches still occurs in what is described as the country's most densely-populated square mile.

The City of Johannesburg is hosting a New Year's Eve music festival and fireworks display Tuesday night which is expected to draw more than 10,000 partygoers, according to a city spokesman.