Durban lifeguards’ attention in question
CITY Watch last week highlighted a reader’s issue regarding a “near-drowning” incident at uShaka Main Beach which allegedly went unnoticed by lifeguards.
The concerned Glenwood resident, Maeve Maroun, recorded two conversations with lifeguards after the couple in distress were rescued by other swimmers.
Maroun had a meeting with city officials this week regarding the incident. Now it seems there will not be an investigation into what happened.
“Listening to them, I now understand their battle with resources, but their jobs involve saving innocent people. While initially hostile, they were willing to listen to my concerns and suggestions.
“They also explained why the lifeguard tower was so far back from the water. I suggested that we work together to find solutions and make the beach safer,” she said.
Head of eThekwini communications Tozi Mthethwa confirmed the meeting. She said eThekwini municipality officials met with the complainant and listened to the recordings the complainant claimed were of municipal lifeguards.
“After investigating the allegations, it was established that the recording of a lifeguard who was ‘not paying attention’ was not a municipal lifeguard. It was also revealed that there was no case reported of a neardrowning incident.”
She said many more lifeguards would be on duty dur- ing the festive season, making beaches and pools safer.
However, another reader, Jenny East, is also not convinced lifeguards are up to the job..
She wrote to City Watch about her concerns.
“On Saturday last week, I took my family to the beach in front of Circus Circus. As it was not a good beach day, being terribly windy and overcast, the beach was not really crowded at all.
“At 11.30am, I was sitting on the beach while my children were playing in the sand when I counted about 50 bathers in the water.”
She said there were three lifeguards on duty.
“One was walking along the beach, away from the bathing flag, chasing people out of the water, although they were only ankle-deep.
“One was sitting up on a wall away from bathers, fraternising with friends, and another guard continually blew his whistle while lounging on a flagpole. The bathers could obviously not hear him, see him or have an idea why he was blowing it.
“He had absolutely no control over the few bathers in the water. Imagine the scenario on a good Durban summer’s day during the school holiday season. Certain mishaps are bound to happen.”
East said she was so disgusted that she packed up the children and went home.
Her concerns have been passed on to Mthethwa.