Several arrests were made at Surfer’s Corner in Muizenberg beach on Tuesday as mense fought for their right to surf, chanting “let us back in our ocean”.
The #BackintheWater campaign believes ocean sports strengthen the immune system in the fight against the Coronavirus, but beaches are off-limits during Level 4 of the lockdown to prevent large gatherings.
A surfer who was nabbed by cops made a getaway on a bicycle, with police giving chase on a motorbike.
A man holding a small placard, and a paddler, were arrested for “protesting”, reports IOL.
DEMAND: Man wants to surf again. Video: Tracey Adams
Muizenberg resident Samantha Vietri, 30, who was doing yoga on the beach, says she was left “traumatised” after being verbally abused by an “aggressive” cop, who was "completely attacking" her.
Vietri said two cops had seen her put her yoga mat down on the beach earlier and had left her alone.
Under Level 4, the public is allowed to exercise outside between 6am and 9am.
Muizenberg resident Samantha Vietri, 30. Video: Tracey Adams
Aisling Vasey said on Twitter she didn’t believe it was more risky to surf than to go walking.
She decided to protest “because we should all be able to say what we want”.
The protesters had packed up and left before 9am after the picket, which started at 8am.
There were about 70 protesters at Bloubergstrand Beach, with one of them holding a placard that said “Punishment or protection”.
Anton Fourie says people are being stripped of their freedom. Video Armand Hough
One surfer earlier questioned on social media: “How is it ‘legal’ for thousands of people to walk side by side on the promenade, yet we can’t even be a few metres away from each other in the water?”
Protest action is illegal under Level 4 lockdown.
Surfers at Blouberg Beach. Video Armand Hough
