Beach sand artists impacted by pier rail theft
With gaps in the railing, there are few walkers passing by leaving sand artist, Mzwakhe Mdletshe's work unnoticed.
BEACH goers ambling along the Durban beachfront can no longer stroll down New Pier on Wedge Beach where missing sections of metal railing pose a safety risk.
For sand artists, already hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, business has been further dampened by the theft.
“There are people who support my work by donating, which really makes a difference. Now that people can’t walk the peer I’ve been affected negatively. I have to go and call people to look at my work,” said sand artist, Mzwakhe Mdletshe who is stationed next to New Pier.
Mdletshe said he has witnessed thieves stealing the metal railings in the evenings and early in the mornings.
“I went to the security guards to tell them about the thrives that steal these bars but they didn’t seem to care. There used to be security guards patrolling the area who kept the thieves away,” he said.
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Morningside resident and surfer, Jeffery Simpson, echoed Mdletshe’s concerns, saying a lack of policing has led to several issues.
“The pier is a disaster because it’s not policed. People fish on the pier, which is prohibited. In the mornings we (surfers) come here and there’s human faeces all over the pier. It’s uncontrolled and unpoliced, that’s why the metal poles are being stolen. Its a health hazard, because the faeces probably makes its way into the water and leads to E.coli.
“The conditions are very rough in the water. If someone fell they could break an ankle or leg. It dangerous when there’s a high tide. The red tape that’s been put up would do nothing to help. If someone fell in the water, the fin on a surfboard could cut them badly, it’s a sharp fin,” said Simpson.
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While beachgoers claim a lack of security has failed to curb rampant theft for months, eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela said security personal are continuing to patrol the promenade.
Read the City’s response in our print issue of Berea Mail tomorrow.
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