6-minute delay in KZN tidal pool drowning reignites lifeguard safety concerns

A second fatal drowning at Umdloti tidal pool in KZN within six months has renewed scrutiny over lifeguard response times and beach safety infrastructure.

Bandile Ntaka (22) from Mhlasini near Verulam drowned on June 15. His body was recovered three days later in front of a home at the end of North Beach Road, reports the North Coast Courier.

CCTV footage seen by The Courier shows lifeguards taking more than six minutes to respond after Ntaka was seen in distress. This exceeds the 30/120 rescue protocol used by municipal lifeguards and endorsed by Lifesaving South Africa that requires lifeguards to identify a swimmer in trouble within 30 seconds and reach them within 120 seconds.

The footage also shows restaurant staff and bystanders rushing to raise the alarm. About six minutes after the incident began two members of the public, including a restaurant patron who left his table, entered the water near Ntaka while no lifeguards had yet arrived

The original lifeguard tower that dates back to the 1960s was condemned and demolished in 2015. Since then, lifeguards have operated from temporary container structures.

Umdloti Smart Village chairperson Debbie Lee Gaines said the organisation has repeatedly raised concerns with municipal authorities over the lack of a purpose built facility.

“In an emergency access to the beach from the current lifeguard container is extremely difficult and dangerous. Lifeguards either have to jump several metres onto a paved walkway risking injury or run around the building and down a ramp before reaching the beach,” she said.

Gaines added that the absence of a public address system further limits lifeguard’s ability to warn bathers in real time.

She said the municipality had previously indicated funding for new facilities was allocated for the 2026/27 financial year but the project now appears to have been pushed to 2028/29.

Municipal spokesperson Mandla Nsele defended the current setup saying the container is positioned on the footprint of the former lifeguard building and provides visibility over both the southern beach and tidal pool. He added that lifeguards are also stationed at the northern steps and in channels during peak periods and said the municipality plans to install

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