Municipal lifeguards have gone on strike at three of Port Elizabeth's main beaches, Kings Beach, Humewood and Hobie - over the issue of non-payment of salaries.
Former word councillor and avid water sports enthusiast Stanford Slabbert says he was alerted to the problem this morning when he noticed that no lifeguards were manning their posts.
Slabbert told AlgoaFM news that bathers were obviously now at risk as there were no lifeguards on duty, while the Blue Flag status of the three beaches was also being compromised.
He says all southern beaches in the city are currently unmanned.
Slabbert says he was informed that between 15 and 20 municipal lifeguards had not been paid for their services in October and November and had made their way to the Beach office to demand their money.
The director of Beaches and Resorts Kithi Ngesi acknowledged that there was a problem with payment.
She said her office was working together with Human Resources to ensure that the lifeguards are paid as soon as possible.
