UPDATE: More than 50 stolen pier railing to be replaced

Recently the Berea Mail spoke to a sand artist and a surfer about the theft. Here the City responds.

Surfer, Jeffrey Simpson says the stolen rails raise safety concerns as walkers could fall into the water. PHOTO: Danica Hansen.

WHILE gaps in the railing on New Pier at Wedge beach left beachgoers questioning beach security, eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela slammed claims of dwindling security on the beach.

“Security was never removed from the beachfront. We have security personnel that patrol the beach daily. We also have security personnel stationed at the Point to Ushaka Beach (Vukasizwe),” he said.

ALSO READ: Beach sand artists impacted by pier rail theft

Mayisela confirmed that 40 railings were removed from New Pier at Wedge Beach and a further 10 railings were missing from North Beach Pier. He urged the community to report theft.

Gaps in the railing leave walkers vulnerable to the surf below. PHOTO: Danica Hansen.

The matter was reported to beach management. The railings will be replaced. We are unaware of how the perpetrators of this serious crime operate but we ask that those with information report it to law enforcement,” he said.

The recent theft follows extensive guard rail theft on King DiniZulu Road in last year when Glenwood residents spotted a man stealing guard rails on King DiniZulu Road (Berea Road). One resident, Moya O’Donoghue witnessed the theft on May 22, 2021.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Man steals metal guard rails on King Dinizulu Road

“He was walking and knocking out the horizontal 3m steel barrier poles. He carried the poles, one by one over, the bridge towards Cato Road and I could not see if he went up or down Berea Road,” said O’ Donoghue.

The City did not comment on the KingDinizulu Road theft.

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