A NUMBER of drivers managed to ‘drown’ their vehicles in the Bay Hall/Pelican Island area in Richards Bay over the festive season, the most publicised of which was the New Year’s Day escapade of a Range Rover driver who made national news after speeding between bathers on the water’s edge.

The vehicle was ultimately swallowed by the incoming tide, joining the queue of those that met a similar fate.

ALSO READ: Drop in festive season drownings across Zululand

There have been conflicting reports about whether the driver was arrested or not, but Richards Bay detectives are reportedly investigating the matter.

The driver was in contravention of a number of municipal by-laws, including section 15(1)(a) r/w section 23(1) of uMhlathuze Beach By-laws MN7 PGN 238 of 13/03/2009, and section 15(1)(b).

These pertain to driving a motor vehicle onto the seashore within the area of jurisdiction of council, and in a manner endangering other users of the seashore.

‘Actions like these pose danger to bathers and can damage the environment. This will not be tolerated and the municipality will apply its mind to find other possible measures to prevent vehicles from driving along the shore,’ said City of uMhlathuze communications manager Mdu Ncalane.

Ward 3 councillor Henning de Wet has kept a close eye on the incident.

‘Over the past few years, a number of vehicles have been seen driving into the ocean at the Bay Hall/Pelican Island area.

‘This highlights the call for the city to urgently look at preventative measures to ensure the protection of the environment as well as the lives of bathers.’