Adventure Sport
Dusi security scare
2012-01-30 16:43
Johannebsurg - Supporters of paddlers taking part in a race on the Umsindusi river have been held at gunpoint, organisers of the annual Dusi Canoe Marathon said on Monday.
"Jeff and Fenella Speed were on the banks of the river next to Marianne Foley Bridge, outside Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, providing ground support to their son and his friend when the incident occurred at about midday," Dusi organisers said in a statement.
"The two boys were paddling after a larger group of paddlers, who were competing in a race from Campbell's Drift to Dusi Bridge."
The organisers said the gang stole a number of items from the couple, including four cellphones, a Garmin GPS, about R700, and even their shoes.
The couple told the police their assailants were all aged 19 and younger.
Dusi spokesperson Ray de Vries said security had been pushed to the top of the organising committee's list of priorities for next month's three-day Dusi marathon.
"The security of the paddlers is of utmost importance and the Dusi organising committee will do everything in their power to ensure the safety of the paddlers," he said.