The thousands of bathers expected to descend on the popular Second Beach at Port St Johns (PSJ) over the Easter weekend might find themselves at risk – because at present no lifeguards are on duty there.
The beach has been described as one of the world’s most dangerous. Since 2007, there have been eight lethal shark attacks.
James said the municipality was not serious about protecting bathers at Second Beach, and made constant excuses about budgets. “Every year they know people will stream into the area. People will continue to drown until they take this issue seriously. If there were lifeguards none of the people would have drowned.”
Lifeguard Mzuvukile Njiva said they had tried many times to reason with the municipality as their pay was diminishing each year. “For the festive season they paid us R5000, but now they want to lower the amount.” He was the only breadwinner at home.
Langa accused lifeguards of being the problem. “They are demanding a lot of money, which we do not have in our coffers.” He said the municipality had budgeted R500000 to hire 17 lifeguards for all PSJ beaches. They would be appointed early next week.
Resident and local NSRI leader John Costello said he didn’t understand why 17 lifeguards had to be deployed at all PSJ beaches, as only Second Beach was used for bathing. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
No lifeguards at Second Beach
The thousands of bathers expected to descend on the popular Second Beach at Port St Johns (PSJ) over the Easter weekend might find themselves at risk – because at present no lifeguards are on duty there.
The beach has been described as one of the world’s most dangerous. Since 2007, there have been eight lethal shark attacks.
James said the municipality was not serious about protecting bathers at Second Beach, and made constant excuses about budgets. “Every year they know people will stream into the area. People will continue to drown until they take this issue seriously. If there were lifeguards none of the people would have drowned.”
Lifeguard Mzuvukile Njiva said they had tried many times to reason with the municipality as their pay was diminishing each year. “For the festive season they paid us R5000, but now they want to lower the amount.” He was the only breadwinner at home.
Langa accused lifeguards of being the problem. “They are demanding a lot of money, which we do not have in our coffers.” He said the municipality had budgeted R500000 to hire 17 lifeguards for all PSJ beaches. They would be appointed early next week.
Resident and local NSRI leader John Costello said he didn’t understand why 17 lifeguards had to be deployed at all PSJ beaches, as only Second Beach was used for bathing. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
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