Tinley Manor man (72) arrested for walking his dog on the beach

A 72-year-old Tinley Manor resident who was arrested for walking his dog on the beach on Wednesday said he had been under the impression that it was allowed.

Doug Spilsbury said he had completely misunderstood the rules, otherwise he would not have been there.

He was one of four people arrested for walking on Tinley Manor beach on Wednesday morning.

“I thought we were allowed to exercise at the beach and only swimming was not allowed,” said Spilsbury.

“They could have given us a warning and I give you my word, I would not have set foot there again.

“What is sad is that there were people fishing at the beach and the police did nothing about them.

“We were treated like criminals,” said Spilsbury.

He said they spent four hours at the Umhlali police station and were later released on R1500 bail.

Spilsbury, as well as the other people arrested, are expected to appear in court in July for contravening the National Disaster Management Act.

KwaDukuza lifeguard superintendent, Bongani Xulu said people needed to know that beaches were closed and no one was allowed to walk or swim at the beach.

“We were lenient last week. There were people exercising at the beach and we did warn them.

“There will be no more warnings, if you are found at the beach you will be arrested,” said Xulu.

On May 2, more than 50 people were given warnings for walking on the beach when the lockdown eased from level five to four.

Umhlali police spokesperson captain Vinny Pillay said there would be no more liniency for those who were found breaking lockdown rules.

“I know in townships there are people who are not following the rules – there have been arrests, and we will be arresting more.

“I personally went around loud-hailing in townships and we got all relevant stakeholders to help with awareness regarding the lockdown rules, so if someone gets caught not following the rules, police will have no mercy. You will be arrested,” said Capt Pillay.

Capt Pillay said he did not know that people had also been fishing at the beach and would investigate.

During lockdown only commercial – not recreational – fishing is allowed.

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