Beachgoer opens assault case against Tinley Manor lifeguards

Umhlali Saps are investigating a case of assault, and a counter case, after a beachgoer claimed he was assaulted by lifeguards at Tinley Manor Beach on January 15.

While lifeguards vehemently deny the claim, Etete resident Anesh Ramsaywok insists he was attacked.

He believes he was mistaken for someone in an unruly group visiting the beach the day before, who got involved in an altercation with lifeguards after allegedly hurling racial slurs at them. Arrests were made after the incident.

Ramsaywok said he went to the beach that Sunday afternoon with his son (7), his son’s two friends aged 4 and 10 and an adult cousin. While washing off in the shorebreak, he said a lifeguard approached and accused him of causing trouble the previous day.

He said things became heated when he attempting to reason with the lifeguard since he did not visit the beach on the Saturday.

Other lifeguards allegedly arrived and Ramsaywok said he was set upon by the group at around 7.30pm, as was his cousin.

KwaDukuza lifeguard superintendent Bongani Xulu painted a different picture, denying his lifeguards attacked Ramsaywok.

“My lifeguards initially warned him they were knocking off for the day and that he should head to the tidal pool for safety reasons,” said Xulu.

According to him, Ramsaywok ignored the request, prompting a second visit which led to an argument. Xulu said not a single punch was thrown.

Both Ramsaywok and the lifeguards have opened cases at Umhlali Saps.

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