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- Video images circulating on social media show a group of people fightingling with lifebuoy on Manaba Beach in KZN.
- Four lifeguards were injured, while one was seriously injured and rushed to hospital.
- The four suspects, aged between 21 and 52, were charged with assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury.
Four suspects between the ages of 21 and 52 were arrested after they allegedly assaulted lifeguards on Manaba Beach on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday.
Video footage of the incident emerged, showing multiple skirmishes between a group of men and first responders.
The scuffle appears to have started on the beach and ended at the lifeguard tower.
“They were charged with assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury and are reported today [Thursday] at Ramsgate Magistrates Court, “police spokesman Capt. Nqobile Gwala told News24.
“One of the lifeguards suffered serious injuries and was rushed to hospital,” he said.
“A lifeguard was assaulted and knocked out. He was hospitalized with head injuries. I don’t know if he has been discharged yet. Three other lifeguards were also injured,” Helen Herbert, general manager of Lifesaving SA, told News24.
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The man who filmed the altercation can be heard repeatedly saying to the attackers, “I have the whole thing on camera. Go on, go on.”
Later, a woman asks the lifeguards why the men beat them, to which someone replies, “They don’t want to listen.”
At the end of the clip, the man, still filming, walks up to the lifeguards and says, “I saw him hit you first.”
A second clip shows a lifeguard falling to the ground and not moving.
A woman can be heard saying to the assailants: “You give white people a bad name.”
The suspects left the scene in an orange bakkie, with the Gauteng province license plate clearly visible.
Oath and assault
Herbert said the incident began when lifeguards called on the public to swim within the safe zone demarcated by beach flags.
Ray Nkonyeni Township spokesman Simon April confirmed the incident occurred around 2:20 p.m. Wednesday.
“The altercation took place after the lifeguards, who were on duty, carried out their work giving instructions to the bathers. They allegedly retaliated by insulting and assaulting the lifeguards,” April said.
That’s when the fight broke out, he said, adding that lifeguards tried to defend themselves.
He said the incident was witnessed by several people, including reservists from the municipal police.
He called the attack racial.
“The fight was very violent, as about four lifeguards were injured, one of them seriously injured,” April said.
Lifesaving SA, in a statement Thursday, said it was aware of the altercation that took place on Manaba Beach.
“We are awaiting reports from the beach manager for more information,” said Helen Herbert, general manager of Lifesaving SA.
They have been in contact with the MEC offices for security and tourism in KwaZulu-Natal.
In the statement, he urged service captains and beach managers to ensure that metro police and SAPS deal with any form of disorderly conduct during this period and advise all lifeguards to remove themselves from these situations, as as fast as possible.
“Please consider your safety first.”
“Lifesaving SA is concerned that this type of behavior is a symptom of the stress in the country today, but it puts the life of the rescuers at risk. They are already prepared to risk their lives to save that of the citizens. It is very sad to see these actions” he told News24.
Listit’s for lifeguards
April asked the bathers to obey the instructions of the lifeguards.
“As the municipality of Ray Nkonyeni, we regret this unfortunate incident as we value the visitors to our beaches, but we cannot tolerate lawlessness and wish the law can defend their cause,” he said.
“We also like to plead with bathers and bathers to obey the instructions of the lifeguards and also adhere to the precautionary measures aimed at combating the spread of the pandemic facing the country and the world.”
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