City calls for witnesses to step forward
The city is investigating reports that a lifeguard tried to drown two dogs on Battery Beach.
According to news reports, the version of events put forward by city lifeguards differed to what eyewitnesses had reported to the media and did not involve animal cruelty.
23 January 2014
REPORTS of a municipal lifeguard who allegedly tried to drown two dogs on Battery Beach are being investigated by eThekwini officials.
According to news reports, two Jack Russels were tied to a No Swimming sign. The lifeguard moved the sign into the water, dragging the two dogs with it, much to the horror of onlookers who were at the beach around 6am on Wednesday morning.
A woman confronted the lifeguard as one of the dogs broke free, while the other one was left gasping as water swept over its head.
While the woman was berrating the lifeguard, a couple of French tourists arrived and one of them managed to undo the dog’s lead and pull it out the water.
At the time of posting, it was not known why the dogs had been tied to the No Swimming sign in the first place. The matter is under investigation.
Ward councillor, Martin Meyer said he was shocked and outraged to learn of the incident.
“The DA respects the fact that lifeguards are responsible for keeping law and order on our beaches, but they themselves are not above the law. The abuse of animals is not allowed under South African law. I will work with the necessary departments to ensure the facts of this matter are brought to light, and if guilty, that the responsible persons be brought to book,” he said.
Cllr Meyer has already made contact with Dr Musa Gumede, DCM for Community and Emergency Services, to request an investigation into the matter.
“The Department should also look at providing more education to the city’s lifeguards regarding laws, bylaws, and appropriate agencies to phone in certain situations to ensure that an awful incident like this does not happen again,” said Meyer.
He said the DA was grateful to the eThekwini lifeguards who have a long and proud tradition of keeping everyone safe on Durban’s beaches, and hopes that the authorities will take decisive and transparent action to ensure that the public’s trust in lifeguards remains strong.
Please keep us informed as to what action is taken against these disgusting human beings. I certainly don’t want lifeguards with this mentality watching over my kids at the beach!