Businesswoman brutally assaulted, robbed during Sunday morning walk on North Beach
SAFETY CONCERNS
Law enforcement units and the local Community Policing Forum (CPF) conducted an enforcement operation in the sand dunes where they uncovered illegal dwellings being used as a hideout for criminals, “We found that hidden dune settlements were being used as hideouts for criminals, posing a danger to residents, visitors and tourists. Authorities have since conducted enforcement operations, uncovering makeshift living structures in the dunes. The dunes had effectively become living spaces.
Image: SUPPLIED
A 50-YEAR-OLD businesswoman's brutal attack while walking along North Beach has exposed a dangerous network of hidden settlements in the Durban dunes.
Local authorities discovered makeshift homes being used as a criminal hideout, raising serious safety concerns for beachgoers and highlighting the need for increased security in this popular tourist area.
The woman, who owns a business near the promenade, was walking along a pathway between the dunes in North Beach near Suncoast, when she was attacked,
She was dragged into the dunes, assaulted and robbed.
“The woman was enjoying her Sunday morning walk when she was attacked. She sustained severe injuries, including a broken nose that later required surgery. Her cellphone, car keys and other personal items were stolen. She fought the man off and managed to escape through the fencing onto the promenade,” said Ward 26 councillor Sharmaine Sewshanker.
She said the woman ran towards Suncoast Casino, where she received medical assistance.
“She was badly hurt. This could easily have ended in a fatality. On Wednesday, she had surgery on the bridge of her nose. She is also traumatised. This incident has sparked renewed calls for stronger law enforcement and regular patrols along Durban’s beachfront.
“After I was notified of the incident, I contacted Metro Police, other law enforcement units and the Community Policing Forum (CPF). This led to an enforcement operation in the dunes. What was uncovered there has raised serious concerns,” said Sewshanker.
“We found that informal settlements in the dunes were being used as hideouts for criminals - posing a danger to residents, visitors and tourists. Authorities have since conducted further enforcement operations, uncovering makeshift living structures in the dunes. The dunes had effectively become living spaces.
“There was furniture, timber, chairs and other items clearly indicating that people were living inside the dunes. Subsequent operations revealed further makeshift structures in other sections of the North Beach dunes.
“When one area is cleared, similar structures quickly emerge elsewhere. This is not an isolated issue. Shacks have started to mushroom in the dunes over the last three years,” she said.
The area where the businesswoman was dragged into
Image: SUPPLIED
In recent months, Sewshanker said authorities had discovered a decomposing body and the remains of a newborn baby in the dunes.
“These are extremely disturbing discoveries. When you combine this with violent attacks, it is clear that something very wrong is happening in these spaces.
“I work closely with homeless individuals in the North Beach area and engage with them regularly. The people living inside the dunes appear to be a different element, and these areas are being used to commit crimes against residents, visitors and tourists,” she added.
“Once-off operations are not enough. We need regular, visible patrols. There must be no opportunity for anyone to bring timber or materials into the dunes. We urge residents and visitors to remain vigilant and avoid walking through isolated dune pathways, even in areas that appear safe. People assume they are safe because there is security nearby, but this incident proves otherwise. We need sustained action,” she added.