No Progress on Port Alfred Jetskier Assault Case

Jetskier Rudi van der Westhuizen buzzes through the surf zone at East Beach in April.

In April Zag reported on an incident involving a scuffle between a jet-skier and local surfers at Port Alfred’s East Beach over beach safety.

It has now been more than three month’s since one of the local surfers opened an assault case against the jetskier with local authorities, yet little progress has been made by officials despite being handed fresh new evidence by the complainant.

Local journalist Jon Houzet forwarded the below report, which appeared in the local paper Talk of the Town.

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NO PROGRESS ON JETSKIER ASSAULT CASE
by: Jon Houzet, Talk of the Town

No progress has been made by police on a high-profile assault case at East Beach involving surfers and a jetskier, three months after the case was opened.

Surfers confronted jetskier Rudi van der Westhuizen on April 7 after he drove his jetski among surfers and bathers at the popular surf spot.

A violent scuffle ensued, in which Van der Westhuizen was photographed by a bystander assaulting local surfer Mike Varela until he was pulled off by other surfers. TotT is in possession of the photos.

Brent Hart of Port Elizabeth also alleged he was assaulted by Van der Westhuizen, and laid a charge on May 10.

The incident in April turned violent at the usually peaceful East Beach.

Aside from being accused of dangerous and reckless use of his jetski in the surfing and bathing area, Van der Westhuizen launched his vessel from the beach instead of from the small boat harbour in contravention of Ndlambe’s bylaws. His jetski was also not licensed for use in Ndlambe waters.

Police spokesman Lieutenant Luvuyo Mjekula confirmed that Van der Westhuizen had paid an admission of guilt fine of R500, just in connection with his unlicensed jetski.

But since then surfer John Burman has taken photos of Van der Westhuizen’s unlicensed trailer and a second jetski at the East Beach parking lot.

“Can we all drive around with unlicensed trailers? Has he [Van der Westhuizen] set a precedent here or is he an ‘untouchable’?” Burman asked.

“The jetski is also not licensed for Ndlambe waters.”

Burman e-mailed his photos and queries to the police and municipal officials a month ago. At the time TotT also asked the police and municipality to respond to the issue of Van der Westhuizen’s unlicensed trailer, jetski and for an update on the assault case.

Despite repeated requests for comment, neither the police nor municipality have responded.

When Van der Westhuizen contacted TotT on Tuesday in response to our queries, he said both his jetskis and trailer had been licensed, but he refused to say when he had obtained these permits.

“It’s got nothing to do with you. I’ll give you a hiding,” he said.

Confronted about his threat, Van der Westhuizen elaborated: “I’ll give you a hiding in court. If you want to close your doors put that thing in the paper.”