By Khethiwe Kubheka
Residents marched to eThekwini City Hall on Friday, demanding accountability over deaths at public swimming pools and beaches across the municipality.
The peaceful march, organised by the Water Safety and Advocacy Group, proceeded from King Dinuzulu Park to City Hall, where demonstrators handed over a memorandum to the City Manager.
Protesters called for improved safety measures at municipal swimming pools and beaches, as well as accountability from officials responsible for public recreational facilities. They also called for the removal of eThekwini Head of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Simphiwe Ndlovu.
Leader of the Water Safety and Advocacy Group, Nkululeko Dube said the organisation’s concerns were based on findings contained in a City Integrity and Investigations Unit (CIIU) report and a court order that he claims has not been implemented.
“We are marching because we want the city manager to enforce safety in the pools due to families losing their children, and we want families to be compensated,” said Dube.
He further argued that Ndlovu should be removed from his position, alleging that sufficient action had not been taken to prevent similar incidents.
The march also highlighted concerns over several drowning incidents that have occurred at municipal facilities.
According to Lifesaving South Africa in KwaZulu-Natal, more than 25 people have died in incidents that occurred while lifeguards were on duty. Organisers of the march said four of those victims were Kasango Sapalo, Yolanda Majola, Hyden Lynx and Nkanyiso Mqadi.
Family members who lost loved ones attended the march, calling for accountability and measures to prevent future tragedies.
Megan Stacey Lynx, the grandmother of Hyden Lynx, said the family was still struggling to come to terms with the loss.
“We are still mourning. There is no closure. Nobody has come to us, and my daughter is having sleepless nights and attending counselling. We are hoping justice will be served, not only for my grandchild but for all the children who have drowned,” she said.
Martinez Sapalo, the brother of Kasango Sapalo, said the municipality should ensure that qualified and properly trained lifeguards are employed.
“The municipality should focus on lifeguards and make sure that their permits and certificates are valid before they are employed,” he said.
The march concluded with the memorandum being received and signed by the City Manager’s office.
According to organisers, the municipality has been given 14 days to respond to the concerns raised in the memorandum. They warned that if no action is taken, the matter will be escalated to the South African Human Rights Commission.
The protesters said they hope the march will lead to improved safety measures and greater accountability at public swimming pools and beaches across eThekwini.
