Crime at the beach side particularly around the popular North Beach has been on the rise and has become gruesome. The Durban North Promenade turned from tranquil haven to a scene of horrific violence when three young holiday makers – adults – were brutally stabbed in an apparent robbery. This disturbing attack sends alarm bells ringing as over 1.3 million holiday makers prepare to descend on KwaZulu-Natal’s shores, the shocking daylight attack has triggered massive police “flood the zone” operation to restore safety and confidence ahead of the festive season when it reaches its apex. There is also the matter of being weary of being stalked by sharks in the water due to loos nets should you go for a swim.
Durban’s magnetic pull as South Africa’s premier coastal gem—boasting world-renowned surfing breaks, bustling uShaka Marine World, and aromatic bunny chow stalls—belies a grim undercurrent of insecurity. The nation’s 2025 crime index stands at a staggering 75.4, securing fifth place globally and topping Africa’s list, per Numbeo data. Within KZN, the second quarter of 2024/2025 logged 63,666 serious community-reported crimes, a subtle 0.1% rise that masks hotspots like Durban Central, where contact offenses dominate.
Beachfront aggression has intensified markedly over the last three years, with DA KZN Community Safety spokesperson Sharon Hoosen noting surges in robberies, stabbings, and shootings. Petty pilfering of tourists’ phones and wallets has evolved into life-threatening ambushes, rendering the promenade a “no-go” after sunset. A 2024 resident survey painted a stark divide: 81% felt secure in daytime strolls through lit areas, yet the city’s overall night time safety score plummeted to 16 out of 100. Underlying drivers include rampant vagrancy, a thriving drug market, and socioeconomic despair, all compounded by seasonal dips in patrols that leave gaps for criminals to exploit.
Coastal Durban’s crime rate has been on the rise with no guarantee of it being halted. The Durban beaches particularly the North Beach is known to be a popular destination around holiday time especially for tourists. The risk and height of crime discourages the trend of tourists visiting Durban’s beaches and decreases much needed foreign income to sustain businesses, resorts and jobs. This has been a continuous cause for concern as there is a lack of additional security at prominent beaches. The neglect can be traced back to the actions of the municipality.
No one will be willing to travel to a beach in Durban if they and their families are at risk of becoming victims of a knife attack. The new found threat of you or your family falling victim to a knife attack while touring Durban North Beach can prove to be a deadly hazard worth avoiding. The municipality needs to step up its focus on training police and concentrate on how to resolve the vagrancy crisis. This has reached a life and death struggle level and endorses a negative reputation for Durban Metro and eThekwini Municipality as a whole. No stone must be left unturned in setting the municipality back on track.
Experts in the field are recommending a holistic approach such as investment in lighting, social programs, and youth employment to stem the movement of delinquents fuelled by desperation. Education, adequate shelter and job creation should play a top priority.
Another matter of concern for the beach areas are the removal of Shark nets by the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board (KZNSB) beyond the typical seasonal window or limited period. This has left key stretches of coast line more vulnerable. It places beach going tourists and holiday makers who flock the waves at risk. Life guards backed by seasonal reinforcements, have been placed on high alert.
Since their debut in 1952, shark nets managed by the KZNSB have stood as Durban’s primary shield against ocean predators. Stretched parallel to the shore at 37 beaches along the KwaZulu-Natal coast, these gillnets target large species like tiger, bull, and great white sharks, drastically cutting human-shark encounters. Before their installation, the city endured seven fatal attacks between 1943 and 1951, crippling local tourism as fear kept visitors away. Post-nets, no fatalities have occurred at protected Durban sites, underscoring their life-saving impact. Yet, these barriers have limitations. Floating just a few meters deep, they permit sharks to vault over or slip beneath, offering no full enclosure.
Their toll on non-target species is steeper: from 2013 to 2017, over 2,000 sharks, 131 dolphins, and 114 turtles met their end in the meshes, sparking outrage from conservationists. Groups like SharkLife advocate for greener options, including drone patrols and sound-emitting repellents. Still, nets persist as the go-to safeguard, blending efficacy with controversy.
The shark nets were a vital source of protection for beach holiday makers such as bathers, swimmers and surfers. The sea is beautiful as well as deadly. The extent to which the shark nets are used to repel the deadly predators such as the Bull and Great White Shark needs to be focused on the areas most frequented by the sharks. However, this includes most coastal waters around Durban. Sharks are attracted to this region because of the large shoals of fish and other species. These are the other sea creatures such as dolphins and turtles that become trapped in the nets. In the end tourists may have to stay clear of our coastal waters for a while. The nets will have to be drawn up and the beach waters will be protected again.
This will possibly happen following the migratory patterns of female Turtles who come ashore to lay their eggs. When it comes to keeping sharks at bay “greener” options have less risk and are better in repelling their attacks. Drone Patrols equipped with noise repellents should be used to drive away sharks. The risks will remain high no matter how the municipality and the KZNSB tackle the issue. Even poverty has turned deadly and the issue of the vagrants has long been failed to be addressed by the municipality. How the knife and shark attacks at the beach are dealt with remains to be seen.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
