TEMPERS flared and fists flew in Port Alfred on Sunday afternoon when an angry jetskier attacked surfers who asked him not to drive recklessly near young bathers.
Emotions ran high at popular East Beach – a premier surfing spot – after Johannesburg businessman Rudi van der Westhuisen ignored pleas to move further down the beach and attacked complaining surfers instead.
The Daily Dispatch and several other beachgoers saw the burly jetskier punch a surfer in the chest before attacking another when he, too, complained about alleged public drinking and reckless driving in the surf zone. Mike Varela was left with a bloodied mouth after he was hit in the face, head butted and wrestled to the ground in a headlock before other surfers jumped in and restrained Van der Westhuisen.
The situation almost spiralled out of control when an elderly man, who said he was Van der Westhuisen’s father, grabbed a tazer and tried to zap surfers who were trying to break up the fight.
Eyewitness John Burman yesterday confirmed he had officially complained to police about Van der Westhuisen’s behaviour.
This included reckless and dangerous driving, two counts of assault and public drinking. Police are also investigating claims that Van der Westhuisen’s off-duty policeman friend, Warrant Officer Reinhardt le Roux – who was on the beach with him at the time – had tried to tell black township police who responded to the call to leave as the area did not fall under their jurisdiction.
During heated discussions with a posse of police and security guards in the car park, Van der Westhuisen openly challenged the surfers he was disagreeing with to come behind the dunes and fight it out.
Tensions between Van der Westhuisen and the surfers have been simmering for years over the way he drives and also his ongoing refusal to jetski elsewhere.
He yesterday said the fight broke out when he got tired of the “yap, yap” of the complaining surfers.
He denied drinking alcohol or attacking anyone, claiming he was defending himself.
“I have jetskied here for 22 years and was not breaking any laws.”
Angry mother Pania Heny said besides openly drinking alcohol on the beach, Van der Westhuisen drove recklessly near her children.
Stuart Shelver said he was concerned for the safety of his 11-year- old son Tim during a brief surf on their way home to Jeffreys Bay.
“If it was not for the altercation that happened with the surfers , we would have gone home.”
He said the jetskier could easily have moved down the beach.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula said police were investigating . —
Road rage on Kowie high seas
Emotions ran high at popular East Beach – a premier surfing spot – after Johannesburg businessman Rudi van der Westhuisen ignored pleas to move further down the beach and attacked complaining surfers instead.
The Daily Dispatch and several other beachgoers saw the burly jetskier punch a surfer in the chest before attacking another when he, too, complained about alleged public drinking and reckless driving in the surf zone. Mike Varela was left with a bloodied mouth after he was hit in the face, head butted and wrestled to the ground in a headlock before other surfers jumped in and restrained Van der Westhuisen.
The situation almost spiralled out of control when an elderly man, who said he was Van der Westhuisen’s father, grabbed a tazer and tried to zap surfers who were trying to break up the fight.
Eyewitness John Burman yesterday confirmed he had officially complained to police about Van der Westhuisen’s behaviour.
This included reckless and dangerous driving, two counts of assault and public drinking. Police are also investigating claims that Van der Westhuisen’s off-duty policeman friend, Warrant Officer Reinhardt le Roux – who was on the beach with him at the time – had tried to tell black township police who responded to the call to leave as the area did not fall under their jurisdiction.
During heated discussions with a posse of police and security guards in the car park, Van der Westhuisen openly challenged the surfers he was disagreeing with to come behind the dunes and fight it out.
Tensions between Van der Westhuisen and the surfers have been simmering for years over the way he drives and also his ongoing refusal to jetski elsewhere.
He yesterday said the fight broke out when he got tired of the “yap, yap” of the complaining surfers.
He denied drinking alcohol or attacking anyone, claiming he was defending himself.
“I have jetskied here for 22 years and was not breaking any laws.”
Angry mother Pania Heny said besides openly drinking alcohol on the beach, Van der Westhuisen drove recklessly near her children.
Stuart Shelver said he was concerned for the safety of his 11-year- old son Tim during a brief surf on their way home to Jeffreys Bay.
“If it was not for the altercation that happened with the surfers , we would have gone home.”
He said the jetskier could easily have moved down the beach.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula said police were investigating . —
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